Females generally first conceive at 20 months, and males are able to reproduce at 2.5 years but the adult males may not allow them to breed. Ringtails are found in groups of 12 to 24 with no consistent leadership. Males and females have separate dominance hierarchies, with the females always dominant over the males. The basic group structure is that of adult females and their infants, juveniles, and sometimes 1 or more dominant males. Females remain in their birth troops while the males move among troops.
Females are responsible for territorial defense.
As the territories are well defined and non-overlapping, when two troops meet, the females will run at each other emitting loud vocalizations, but physical contact is rare. Fifteen different vocalizations have been identified, including a howl which can be heard to humans from a distance of 3200 ft. There are 10 living on Easy Street. Information taken from Walkers Mammals of the World. Search our site.