Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 5,927
- Most observed in
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a mammal of the raccoon family native to arid regions of North America. It is widely distributed and well-adapted to its distributed areas. It has been legally trapped for its fur. Globally, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List but is a Conservation Strategy Species in Oregon and Fully Protected in California. The ringtail is the state mammal of Arizona. The species is known by a variety of common names, such as ring-tailed cat, miner's cat, civet cat, and cacomistle (or cacomixtle), though as a relative of the raccoon, the ringtail is only distantly related to Feliform true cats and civets, and "cacomistle" can also refer to B. sumichrasti.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Ringtail”.