Rangers conducting a nighttime survey at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas were lucky enough to catch a rare glimpse of a ringtail cat.
Ringtail cats are not actually felines, rather they are nocturnal mammals related to the raccoon family (Procyonidae). The charming little creatures have large eyes that help them see in low light conditions and pointed fox-like muzzle. Ringtails are tiny weighing about about 3 pounds and a total length of 24 to 30 inches (half of which belongs to their distinctive tail).
Palo Duro Canyon State Park officials believe the ringtail population may be thriving due to an increase to grasshoppers and cicadas in the Panhandle but its hard to confirm given their elusive nature. Although brief, this sighting must have been thrilling for these rangers who are dedicated to preserving the lands and wildlife of Texas.
Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
Description:
The Ringtail is a cat-sized carnivore resembling a small fox with a long raccoonlike tail. Its bushy tail is flattened and nearly as long as the head and body, with alternating black and white rings.
Life History:
These animals are almost wholly nocturnal and spend the majority of the day sleeping in their dens. They leave their dens at night to feed. Ringtails eat a wide variety of foods. Birds, rodents, carrion, reptiles and amphibians, and insects such as grasshoppers and crickets form the bulk of their diet, although they also eat native fruits and berries as well.
The breeding season of the Ringtail is in mid-spring. Most litters consist of two to four babies, which are born covered with short, pale hair, unable to see and hear. By the age of four months, young Ringtails have acquired their adult coloring.
Habitat:
Ringtails live in many different habitats, but they prefer rocky areas such as rock piles, stone fences, canyon walls, and talus slopes. Ringtails are expert climbers, capable of climbing vertical walls to find the most protected crevices, crannies, and hollows in which to build their dens. In woodland areas, where they are less common, they den in hollow trees and logs. They have also been observed living in buildings.
Texas Distribution:
Ringtails are distributed statewide, but uncommon in lower Rio Grande and Coastal Plains of southern Texas.