Ringtails have a long tail with alternating bands of white and black fur. They have large eyes surrounded by white rings of fur, large rounded ears, short legs and a long grayish colored body. They are excellent climbers capable of ascending vertical walls, trees, rocky cliffs and even cacti. They can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees, giving them a good grip for descending those same features. They have excellent eyesight as well as hearing, both helpful adaptations for a nocturnal animal.
Range: Mexico, north to California and Oregon and throughout the American Southwest to Texas and northeast to Oklahoma and Kansas
Life Cycle/ Social Structure Ringtails are nocturnal and solitary, except during mating season. Ringtails make dens in rock crevices, lining them with moss, leaves or grass.
