The Ringtail is a slender, cat-like relative of the raccoon with enormous eyes, large ears, and a magnificently banded black-and-white tail that equals its body in length. It is exquisitely adapted for climbing rocky terrain, able to rotate its hind feet 180 degrees for downclimbing, and can descend sheer cliff walls head-first. California miners called it the 'miner's cat' and kept tame individuals as pest-control companions in camps.
Best time to see a Ringtail
The best time to see a Ringtail is September–March, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,066 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Ringtail? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Ringtail sightings near you
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