Mammals nocturnal

Ringtail

Bassariscus astutus

The Ringtail is the desert’s most acrobatic ghost, a wide-eyed relative of the raccoon that can scale vertical cliffs with ease. With its signature banded tail and cat-like grace, this elusive nocturnal hunter is a prize find for any backyard camera enthusiast.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 12-17 in (30-42 cm); tail length 12-17 in (31-44 cm); weight 1.5-3.3 lbs (0.7-1.5 kg)

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Colors

Buff to grayish-brown upper body with a creamy white underbelly; large dark eyes with white rings; striking tail with 14-16 alternating black and white rings.

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Key Features

Extraordinarily long tail with black and white rings
Large, upright ears and dark, inquisitive eyes
Slender, cat-like body with short legs
Rotating hind ankles that allow for head-first climbing down trees

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 10 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Omnivorous and opportunistic; they hunt rodents, birds, and insects, but also eat fruit, berries, and nectar.

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Habitat Arid rocky canyons, oak woodlands, and pine forests; often found near water sources or rocky outcroppings.

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Behavior

Often called the 'Miner's Cat,' the Ringtail is a shy, solitary member of the raccoon family that is rarely seen during the day. They are master acrobats, capable of scaling vertical walls, leaping between narrow ledges, and even 'stemming' up chimneys or crevices by pressing their feet against opposite walls. Their ankles can rotate 180 degrees, giving them unmatched agility in rocky terrain.

While they are generally reclusive, Ringtails are highly territorial and use vocalizations and scent marking to defend their home range. They are not true cats, but their sleek movement and expert hunting skills often lead to that comparison. In the wild, they lead busy nocturnal lives, spending their waking hours foraging for food and avoiding larger predators like owls and coyotes.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Ringtail on camera requires a strategy focused on vertical movement. Unlike most backyard mammals that stick to the ground, Ringtails prefer to travel along stone walls, fence tops, or low tree branches. Mount your camera 3 to 5 feet high and angle it toward rocky crevices or the top of a woodpile. If you have a stone chimney or an old outbuilding, these are prime 'highways' for a Ringtail patrolling its territory.

Because they are strictly nocturnal, your camera’s night vision is the most important setting. Use a 'No-Glow' or high-quality infrared flash to avoid startling these timid animals. Since they move with lightning-fast, jerky motions, set your camera to a fast shutter speed or use 'Burst Mode' to capture multiple frames. This increases your chances of getting a clear shot of that magnificent ringed tail rather than just a blurry tail-tip as they vanish into the shadows.

If you are struggling to spot one, you can use scent to pique their interest. A small amount of honey, dried apricots, or even peanut butter placed on a flat rock can encourage them to pause in front of the lens. Always place the lure in a spot where the camera has a clear, unobstructed view of the surrounding 5 feet, as they like to scout the area before approaching a food source.

Seasonally, late summer is a fantastic time for camera trapping as the young begin to forage with their mothers. During the dry months, placing a camera near a low-profile water basin in a rocky area is almost a guaranteed way to see them, as they must visit water sources frequently in their arid habitats. Be patient; their territories can be large, and it may take a week or two before one cycles back through your specific yard.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Ringtail.

Raccoon

Much larger and stockier with a distinct black facial mask and a shorter, thicker tail.

Cacomistle

Very similar in appearance but found in tropical forests of Mexico and Central America; its ears are shorter and more rounded.

Coati

Diurnal (active during the day) with a much longer, thinner snout and a tail that is held upright but not ringed as distinctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ringtails are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the darkest hours of the night. You are most likely to capture them on camera between 10 PM and 4 AM, as they typically retreat to dens in hollow trees or rock crevices before the sun rises.

To attract a Ringtail, provide 'vertical' habitat like woodpiles, rock walls, or dense shrubs. They are also drawn to water sources like birdbaths or small ponds. In some areas, small amounts of sweet fruit or jam can act as a lure, though natural prey like mice are their primary draw.

Ringtails are omnivores. Their diet consists of small mammals like woodrats and mice, as well as grasshoppers, lizards, and small birds. They also have a sweet tooth and frequently consume juniper berries, prickly pear fruit, and persimmons.

While they prefer wild, rocky canyons, Ringtails have adapted well to suburban fringes in the American Southwest. They are often found in quiet neighborhoods with plenty of cover, gardens, and outbuildings where they can hunt for rodents undisturbed.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the tail and face. A Ringtail is much smaller and slimmer than a raccoon, has a tail that is longer than its body, and lacks the iconic black 'bandit mask' across its eyes. Instead, Ringtails have white rings around their eyes.

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