Meet the Ringtail: The Cat-Like Creatures of the Southwest

If you’ve never heard of a ringtail, you’re not alone—but these nocturnal wonders are some of the most fascinating, elusive creatures in North America. Also known as “ringtail cats” or “miner’s cats,” ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) are neither true cats nor members of the raccoon family, although they are closely related to the latter. These small mammals are native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico and are perfectly adapted to life in rocky canyons, desert scrublands, and forested mountains.

What Does a Ringtail Look Like?

Ringtails are about the size of a domestic cat, measuring 24 to 32 inches long—including their distinctive, bushy, black-and-white striped tails, which make up about half their body length. Their large, rounded ears and wide eyes give them a wide-eyed, almost cartoonish appearance, which helps them see in the dark. Their soft, tan-to-gray fur and slender build allow them to blend into their surroundings with ease.

Masters of the Night

As nocturnal animals, ringtails are most active after dark. They’re excellent climbers and can scale vertical rock walls, trees, and even buildings with remarkable agility. Their ankles can rotate 180 degrees—an adaptation that allows them to descend headfirst and navigate steep terrain.

These solitary creatures are also territorial and secretive, making them hard to spot in the wild. But if you’re hiking through a canyon in the Southwest at dusk, keep your eyes peeled—you might just catch a glimpse of a ringtail darting across the rocks.

Diet and Behavior

Ringtails are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can catch or scavenge. Their diet includes insects, small mammals, birds, fruits, and even lizards. They’re quiet hunters, using their keen hearing and vision to stalk prey at night.

Despite their solitary nature, ringtails have been known to communicate with squeaks, clicks, and growls, especially during mating season or territorial disputes.

Ringtails and Humans

Ringtails earned the nickname “miner’s cat” because 19th-century miners and settlers often kept them as pets to control rodent populations. They’re relatively tame compared to many wild animals and were sometimes allowed to live inside cabins or camps. However, they are wild animals and not suitable as pets in a modern home setting.

Today, ringtails are protected in many areas, and they play a valuable role in their ecosystems as both predator and prey. Though they’re not endangered, habitat loss and human encroachment can threaten their populations.

A Hidden Gem of the Animal Kingdom

Ringtails may not get as much attention as bears or bobcats, but they are every bit as remarkable. Their agility, adaptability, and quiet charm make them one of the Southwest’s best-kept wildlife secrets. Whether you’re a desert hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone who loves learning about unique animals, the ringtail is a creature worth knowing.

Fun Fact: Despite their cat-like appearance and name, ringtails are more closely related to raccoons and coatis than to felines!