Ringtail pictures and facts

The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a member of the raccoon family and lives in the mountains, badlands and forests in southwestern United States to Baja California and southern Mexico (source and range map). It got its name from its black and white striped tail. The ringtail is an agile climber, their ankle joint can turn 180 degrees and can become 7 years of age in the wild. They are most active at dusk and at night, when they feed on insects, squirrels, rodents, rabbits, and occasionally birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, carrion and plants. When ringtails feel threatened, they bristle the hair on its tail, pulling its tail towards its head to look bigger. The scientific Latin name can be translated as cunning little fox.