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