The ringtail is commonly called the ringtail cat, but it is not a cat. It has also been called miner’s cat, coon cat, cacomistle, or civet cat.

Ringtails are related to raccoons. This nocturnal animal is very secretive and seldom seem.

It has a fox-like face and a ringed tail like a raccoon. The ringtail’s tail is longer than that of the raccoon. It has large eyes that help it see well at night.

Ringtails are very agile and have sharp claws which enable them to climb trees and even scale walls.

They hunt by night, pouncing on their prey from ambush. The ringtail primarily eats small rodents, but will also consume fruit, berries, small animals, bats, birds, insects, and acorns. Ringtails spend the day in a den which is often lined with soft moss, leaves, or grass.

Young, usually two to four per litter, are born in May or June. Their eyes do not open for 30 days. Parents bring them food in the nest.

Tracks show five toes on the front foot and five toes on the hind foot. Claws do not usually show in the tracks.