Description
Scientific Name: Bassariscus astutus
The ringtail has pale underparts and is black to dark brown in colour. Its physique resembles that of a cat, while its sharp muzzle and long whiskers resemble those of a fox. The ringtailed’s eyes are surrounded by dark brown and black hair, giving its face the appearance of a mask. These creatures have a lengthy tail that is around the same length as their bodies and is “ringed” in black and white with 14–16 stripes. Ringtails can more easily navigate and forage in the dark thanks to their wide eyes and upright ears. They are skilled climbers and rely on their long tails for balance. When the tail rather than the body is grabbed, the ringtail has a better chance of escape because the white rings serve as a target. Short, slender, and partially retractable claws make them ideal for climbing. The animal is a quick climber thanks to its flexible ankle joint, which can swivel over 180 degrees. The long tail helps with balance when navigating tight spaces and limbs, and it even enables people to cartwheel backwards.
Habitat
Throughout southern North America and Mexico, the ringtail is widespread and frequent. In addition to the desert region of Baja California and Oaxaca in southern Mexico, it can also be found in the Gulf of California islands of Tiburón, Espiritu Santo, and San José. Ringtails can also be found in the entire southwest region of the US, from Texas to California and Oregon. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including semi-arid oak woods, juniper and pinyon pine forests, conifer forests, montane (mountainous) forests, chaparral (a scrub habitat with mainly prickly, evergreen shrubs), and desert.
Behavior
Most often at night, but occasionally also around sunset, ringtails are active. It spends a lot of time searching for food. A ringtail grooms itself after feeding by sitting on its hindquarters in a cat-like position. When cleaning its cheeks, snout, and ears, a ringtail licks its fur and forepaws. Excellent climbers with a variety of behavioral and physical locomotor adaptations include Bassariscus astutus. Ringtails can richochet from wall to wall, moving swiftly and deftly between cliffs and ledges. They can also use chimney stemming, which involves forcing the back against one wall while pressing all four feet against another.
The ability to quickly descend vertically headfirst is achieved by 180-degree rotation of the hindfoot, which keeps the claws and footpads in contact with the ground. With the exception of the breeding season, the ringtail lives alone. Home ranges can be as large as 136 acres, depending on the amount of food and cover that is available. Same-sex ringtails’ home ranges do not overlap, and males often have greater home ranges than females.
As Pet/ In Captivity
They must have access to a dim, den-like space as a pet where they can spend the day sleeping. To hunt, they will emerge after dark. With course, you will need to provide food for your ringtail if your home is not full with mice and pests. Of course, as ringtails are considered unusual animals, you should check the rules in your state if you believe you’d like to keep one as a pet.
Rodents, rabbits, squirrels, and insects are the main animal matter food items; however, birds, snakes, frogs, lizards, and carrion are also consumed. Acorns, mistletoe, juniper berries, persimmons, wild figs, and other fruits are examples of plant material that is consumed.
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