Ring-tailed Cat

## About

A pair of ring-tailed cats climbing a tree.

## Background Information

### Alternate Name(s)

Ring-tailed cacomistle, Miner's cat, Ringtail, Ringtail cat, Cacomistle, Cacomixtle, Civet cat, Mico de noche, Night monkey, Bassarisk

## Classification

### Species

B. astutus

The ring-tailed cat ***(Bassariscus astutus)*** also known as the ringtail, is a species of arboreal mammal native to areas of North America. Despite the common name the ring-tailed 'cat', the species is not actually related to cats, but rather raccoons and is placed in the procyonidae family, along with other American Carnivorans. Ringtails are almost identical in appearance to the Central American Cacomistle ***(Bassariscus sumichrasti)***, as both species share a genus and are closely related. Both species share an identical golden brown/tan coat which darkens towards their dorsums. White muzzle and eye patches are also present on both species, contrasting against the grey colouration and black frames on their face and nose respectively. The most striking feature and namesake of the ringtail is its black and white ringed tail, which allows them to balance whilst traversing trees. Though the Bassariscus species are extremely similar, they do share some physical differences. The facial differences are the most notable, where the cacomistle has a pointed face and ears, the ringtail has a more rounded face and ears. The tails of the species are also slightly different, the cacomistle's black rings fade to a black length at the end of the tail, the ringtail's remain outlined until the tail's end. The last notable difference is the retractable claws of the ringtail, versus the non-retractable claws of the cacomistle. The ringtail measures up to 30-42cm (11.8-16.5in) in body length and its tail is slightly longer, at 31-44cm (12.2-17.3in). Ringtails typically weigh 0.7-1.5kg (1.5-3.3lbs).

## Diet

Ringtails are opportunistic omnivores, consuming a variety of different plant and animal matter. Ringtails show a preference to meat, preying upon a wide array of species including; rabbits, squirrels, rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs and also carrion. As omnivores, ringtails also eat a variety of different plants, most of which being fruits. These species include but are likely not limited to; acorns, mistletoe ***(Viscum album)***, juniper berries ***(Juniperus communis)***, persimmons ***(Diospyros kaki)*** and fig species.

## Conservation Status

Though the ringtail is classed as a species of least concern by the IUCN, the species still faces mass overhunting in the Northern part of its range. In the US states of Arizona, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico, the ringtail is very frequently hunted for its pelt, which is turned into accessories. Though ringtail pelt hunting and distribution has decreased since its peak in 1979 (where 135,000 pelts were sold), the species is still trafficked commonly. In New Mexico around 1,000 ringtails are killed annually and the statistics worsen by state. In Arizona and Texas, 4,000 and 45,000-50,000 individuals are killed annually respectively. Ringtails are not often the target of trapping, typically getting caught incidentally in traps used commonly for other pelt-bearing species like foxes. This coupled with their invaluable fur -that is thin and also tears and fades easily- ringtail products will typically be sold very cheep, being sold for $5-$12USD. Without greater knowledge of the species' population, regulation of annual hunting is extremely difficult and this may eventuate into a bigger threat for the ringtail as a species in the long-term.

## Range and Population

The ringtail has a large range extending from southern Mexico Throughout much of the southern, central and western USA. They inhabit a variety of habitats including arid desert and shrubland regions as well as much more lush rainforests, forests, woodlands and coastal regions. The ringtail is an arboreal species and dwells in treetops. The body plan of the ringtail reflects its lifestyle, having retractable claws, hind feet which can rotate 180° and long tails, which act as a counter-balance to the ringtail's weight when high in canopies or cliffsides. Ringtails have become fairly abundant in man-made or altered environments, commonly being sighted in urban areas throughout their more population dense distribution. The population of the ringtail is unknown and so is its population trend. The low population density of the species however, suggests that the ringtail is decreasing in numbers in much of its range.

## Behaviour

Ringtails are nocturnal species that spend much of their time awake climbing in trees, as they are also arboreal. Ringtails are most active at night, but less commonly dusk, during these hours they forage for food. Ringtails clean themselves in a way mirrored by true felines, in that they groom their fur using their tongues and will also lick their paws to wipe across their face and head. As extremely prolific climbers, ringtails have devised many strategies of traversing arboreal environments. Some of the strategies they employ in these arboreal environments include; jumping from wall to wall in a ricochet, chimney stepping (moving in small crevasses by planting its feet on one wall and its back on the other whilst moving upwards) and even moving vertically up walls by employing their hind feet's 180° rotation in order not to fall. Ringtails are solitary animals that do not interact with each other (outside of the breeding season). During the breeding season the female ringtail will experience a single estrous cycle, before mating in the months between February-May. Females will undergo a period of heat that lasts around 24-36 hours. Though the gestation period of the ringtail is unknown, the average procyonid period lasts anywhere between 51-54 days. The female will eventually birth a litter of 1-4. The mother ringtail will attempt to find a location worthy of nesting in. These could either be a crevasse, tree hollow/cavity or another den-like structure. The newborns are born with their eyes closed however, will open them at 1 month of age. After opening their eyes, the juvenile ringtails will soon begin to consume solid food at 30-40 days of age and eventually begin weaning at 10 weeks. Whilst foraging, the mother ringtail will allow her offspring to accompany her. If the father is tolerated and present, he will partake in play fighting with the older young, though the father's absence is typically the norm for this species. Ringtails can have a home range of up to 136ha (336ac) however, the size is usually dependent on the conditions of the surrounding environment, with males having larger ranges on average. Ringtail ranges of the same sex do not intercept with one another. In order to communicate the boundaries of one's home range, the ringtail will scent mark the area, using urine to mark the surrounding environment. During breeding season, this scent marking becomes more frequent as a means of deterring rivals and attracting potential mates. In terms of vocal communication, adult ringtails are known to emit a variety of barks, high-pitched calls and shrieks whereas juveniles more commonly emit softer chirps, squeals and whimpers. Tactile communication is likely exhibited also, between females and their offspring and males with other males, it is likely common.

### Relationship with Humans

In the past, ringtails were more widely referred to as 'miner's cats' as they often accompanied early American settlers and prospectors. Ringtails were captivated by these early Americans, as they would offer pest control, eating mice close to settlements and camps. It was said that a ringtail could also make a useful and friendly companion if befriended at a young age. Despite their significance to these prospectors, presently, it is completely illegal to own a ringtail, unless permits are acquired. Before even American settlers arrived from Europe, the Aztec people referred to ringtails by the same name as their relatives; cacomistles. The term cacomistle is still used to refer to ringtails in modern day Mexico. The name is derived from the not only the Nahuatl Aztec language, but also Spanish, where it means 'little thief'. The sly and intelligent hunting behaviour of the ringtail is even expressed through its Latin name, ***(Bassariscus astutus)***, meaning 'cunning little fox'.

## In Captivity

Ringtails can be branded as exotic pets however, a permit is required in order to own one. In conservational facilities such as zoos, the ringtail is uncommon, only being housed at four relatively small zoos worldwide, according to ZOOINSTITUTES. These zoos are, the Burgers' Zoo, Netherlands and the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, San Antonio Zoo and Cameron's Park Zoo, all located in the Southern US.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41680/45215881
* Ringtail | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bassariscus\_astutus/
* Cacomistle Facts | Thought. Co - https://www.thoughtco.com/cacomistle-4769139
* Animal Fact Sheet: Ringtail | Arizona-Senora Desert Museum - https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Ringtail.php
* Ring-Tailed Cacomistle | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/ring-tailed-cacomistle-2338/
* Ringtail | Animals Network - https://animals.net/ringtail/