Bassariscus astutus

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Ring-tailed cat

taxidermy

Taxonomy:

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Procyonidae
  • Genus: Bassariscus
  • Species: B. astutus

Common Names by Region:

  • United States: Ring-tailed Cat, Ringtail, Miner’s Cat, Cacomistle
  • Mexico: Cacomiztle Norteño, Cacomixtle, Civeta

https://cernunnosfoundation.com/merch

Description:

  • Size: Length from head to base of tail ranges between 30-42 cm (12-16.5 inches). Tail length is between 31-44 cm (12-17 inches). Weight ranges from 0.8-1.5 kg (1.8-3.3 lbs).
  • Appearance: Slender body with a long, bushy tail that features black and white rings. Fur is generally pale buff to dark brown with a lighter underbelly. The face has distinctive white markings around the eyes and blackish rings around the eyes.

Known Range:

  • Geographic Range: Found in the southwestern United States, including states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, extending into northern and central Mexico.
  • Habitat: Prefers arid, rocky environments such as canyons, cliffs, and talus slopes. Also found in forested areas, deserts, and near human settlements where it can find shelter and food.

Diet:

  • Diet Composition: Omnivorous with a preference for animal matter. Primary diet includes small mammals (like rodents), birds, insects, fruits, and berries. Also known to eat lizards, frogs, and eggs.
  • Foraging Behavior: Nocturnal forager, primarily active at night. Uses its agility and climbing skills to hunt and gather food.

Breeding:

  • Mating Season: Typically occurs in early spring, from February to May.
  • Gestation Period: Approximately 51-54 days.
  • Litter Size: Usually gives birth to 1-4 offspring.
  • Weaning: Young are weaned at about 10 weeks old and reach maturity at 10 months.

Lifecycle:

  • Longevity: Can live up to 7 years in the wild, with some individuals reaching up to 9 years. In captivity, they can live longer, often exceeding 10 years.
  • Development: Juveniles begin exploring outside the den at around 4-6 weeks of age. They stay with the mother until they are capable of independent survival, usually around 4 months.
  • Behavior: Solitary and territorial, except during breeding season. Highly agile climbers, known for their ability to rotate their hind feet 180 degrees to descend trees headfirst.
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