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Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
34.2936, -111.664
Field Notes
Description:
The ringtail is buff to dark brown in color with white underparts and a flashy black and white striped tail that has 14-16 white and black stripes, which is longer than the rest of its body. The claws are short, straight, and semi-retractable. The eyes are large and purple, each surrounded by a patch of light fur. It is smaller than a housecat, measuring 30–42 cm long with a tail of 31–44 cm and weighing 0.8–1.5 kg. Ringtails have occasionally been hunted for their pelts, but the fur is not especially valuable. The ringtail is a mammal of the raccoon family (thus not actually a cat), native to arid regions of North America.
Habitat:
It is found in rocky, desert as its habitat, where it nests in the hollows of trees or abandoned wooden structures.
Notes:
This specimen was spotted in the Chiricahua Mountains. It was a young animal and was quite curious. Also known as "ring-tailed cat," "miner's cat," and "cacomistle."
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