Physical Setting
Climate
Adaptations
Tucson Plants
Tucson Animals
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Physical Setting
Climate
Adaptations
Tucson Plants
Tucson Animals
External Resources
AnimalsVenomous AnimalsArthropodsFishAmphibiansReptilesBirdsMammals
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Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
ringtailDESCRIPTION: Wt=up to 2 lbs (1kg), body up to 2.5' (80cm), and the tail often is the same length. They are about the size of a large squirrel or small cat. Overall yellowish-gray with distinctly black and white tail. They have large, black eyes surrounded by white (but no mask as in the Raccoon).
NATURAL HISTORY: Omnivorous, ambushing and pouncing on their animal prey. Nocturnal; during the day they spend their time in cliffs, rock piles, or in hollow trees or logs. Solitary except for a few days to mate in early spring. Arizona's State Mammal. Walk on their toes (digitigrade), rather than the soles of their feet (plantigrade) like Raccoons and Coatis, which makes them very nimble climbers.

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Dept. of Biology
West Campus
Pima Community College
last updated June 6, 2001