Not a Cat, Not a Raccoon… This is a Ringtail!

Do you know an animal that is a mixture of cat and racoon? The animal in question is a ringtail. The Animal also known as the ringtail is a uniqure animal that can be found from North America to Mexico. They are shocking and exciting but, many may not even all of their existence!

What is a Ringtail?

Ringtails are small mammals. They have long bodies, big ears and their fluffy tails can be identified by a series of dark rings before turning light. Their tails can be as long as their whole body! This is a part of what gives them that raccoon-ish appearance. But ringtails are not raccoons, they’re a different closely related kind of animal that belongs to the group known as procyonids – these include some other cool species like olingos and coatis. In fact, they are relatives of a fox species known as the cacomistle.

Where Do Ringtails Live?

There are ringtails, which prefer to live in trees or rocky cliffs in the deserts. They are excellent climbers and spend a good part of their time in trees foraging for food. They live in little hidden houses, usually the nests on holes or crevices for them to take shelter at night. The ringtail lives primarily in the southwestern United States, but its range extends from Arizona and New Mexico into southern California.

What Do They Eat?

Common ring tails are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of plants and small animals. They diet on fruits, insects, small mammals and birds. The animals are exceedingly nocturnal in nature. They hunt through the trees at night.

Why Are Ringtails Important?

Ring tails are important ecological beasties. They regulate the population of insects, and when they eat fruits, it helps in seed dispersal. They are also the food of larger predators such as owls and coyotes. It is very important to conserve ringtails and their natural habitats in order to also ensure the his environmental health.

Anyway, ringtails are amazing creatures and you guys should give them some thought. Neither cats nor raccoons; they are fascinating creatures, fulfilling an ecological niche in maintaining the equilibrium and diversity of life!