Wishlist Wednesday – The Elusive Ringtail

Photo by Brooke Smith on Wikimedia

Bassariscus astutus

Did you know there is a mammal native to North America called the Ringtail? I'd bet more people know about Ringtail Lemurs (thanks in large part to the Madagascar movies) than the Ringtail.

They are relatives of racoons and are named after their long black and white striped tail. Ringtails live in rocky areas not far from water and are incredible climbers. They are nocturnal and have excellent eyesight and hearing. Like raccoons, they are omnivores and will eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths. Ringtails have a broad range across the Western United States and Northwestern Mexico, but they are very VERY difficult to spot.

I can’t remember the first time I learned about Ringtails. It might have been when I was living in Arizona, but then it might have been earlier. The first time I saw one in human care was at an event put on by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It was much smaller than I had expected. I figured they would be closer in size to a Raccoon or Coati, but they are more like the size of a squirrel.

There were rumors they lived at Malibu Creek State Park, but I never met anyone who had seen one. Someone at some point had, so the legend stuck. Apparently, they also live in Kansas. Maybe one of these days I’ll hike down a rocky canyon and see one, but I doubt it. I’d probably just break my ankle and have nothing to show for it. That would be an awkward conversation with the EMTs. “I was looking for a Ringtail.” “You mean a Ring-tailed Lemur? They live in Madagascar!”

Sigh.

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