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Overview
Brief Summary
Description
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Mammal Species of the World
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- Original description: Lichtenstein, H., 1830. Erlauterungen der Nachrichten des Fran. Hernandez von den vierfussigen Thieren Neuspaniens, p. 119. Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Berlin, 89-128.
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Distribution
Range Description
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Geographic Range
Bassariscus astutus can be found from southwestern Oregon and eastern Kansas south through California, southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oaklahoma, Texas, Baja California and northern Mexico. Outlying records in Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Ohio are likely the result of a ringtail habit of boarding railroad cars and being transplanted as a result (Nowak, 1999).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
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National Distribution
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
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Global Range: Western North America, as far north as southern Oregon, northern Nevada, northern Utah, southern Wyoming, and Colorado, south through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico to southern Baja California and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, including some islands in the Gulf of California. Old records exist for the central U.S. north to Kansas. Generally sea level to about 1400 m, but reported from up to 2900 m.
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
Body mass of both sexes from throughout the geographic range of Bassariscus astutus ranges from 824 to 1,338 g. Head and body length is 305 to 420 mm and tail length is 310 to 441 mm. Shoulder height is about 160 mm. The upper body is buffy in color with a dark brown wash, and the underparts are a pale buff. The tail is bushy and has black and white rings (hence the common name of the species), much like a raccoon. The eyes are ringed by black or dark brown and set within buffy patches. The body is cat-like with a fox-like face and large oval ears. The claws of these animals are semi-retractable. The dental formula is: i 3/4, c 1/1, p 3/4, m 3/2 for a total of 40 teeth. The canines are well developed (Nowak, 1999; Poglayen-Neuwal, 1988).
Range mass: 824 to 1,338 g.
Range length: 305 to 420 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
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Size
Size in North America
Length:
Average: 793 mm males; 756 mm females
Range: 616-811 mm
Weight:
Range: 0.9-1.3 kg
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
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Habitat
Ringtails can be found at elevations of up to 2900 m but are most common at elevations ranging from sea level to 1400 m. Ringtails utilize a variety of habitats. They prefer habitats with rocky outcroppings, canyons, or talus slopes and can be found in semi-arid country, deserts, chaparral, oak woodlands, pinyon pine woodlands, juniper woodlands and montane conifer forests. They also inhabit riparian habitats due to the increased food availability (Poglayen-Neuwall, 1988; 1990).
Range elevation: 0 to 2900 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest ; mountains
Other Habitat Features: riparian
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Comments: Typically in rocky areas with cliffs or crevices for daytime shelter; desert scrub, chaparral, pine-oak and conifer woodland. Usually within 0.5 miles of water. Dens usually in rock shelter; also in tree hollow, under tree roots, in burrow dug by other animal, in remote building, under brush pile. Changes den often.
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Migration
Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
Ringtails are omnivorous, but show a dietary preference for animal matter. Specific dietary items are largely selected as a function of their seasonal abundance. Principal animal matter food items include rodents, rabbits, squirrels, and insects, however, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, and carrion are also eaten. Plant matter eaten includes acorns, mistletoe, juniper berries, persimmons, wild figs and other fruits. When available, B. astutus will also feed on nectar (Poglayen-Neuwall 1988,1990; Kuban and Schwartz, 1985).
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; carrion ; insects
Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers
Primary Diet: omnivore
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Comments: Omnivorous, but prefers animal matter. Principal foods are arthropods, small mammals, and fruits; proportions vary seasonally. Also eats various birds, reptiles, amphibians; nectar feeding from AGAVE also reported (Poglayen-Neuwall and Towell 1988).
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Associations
Ecosystem Roles
An important mid-size carnivore, the ringtail can help keep rodent populations under control.
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Predation
When threatened, a ringtail will bristle the hair on its tail, arching the tail over its back towards its head, and thereby making itself appear larger. If captured, it screams a high pitched, penetrating sound and discharges a pungent, foul smelling secretion from the anal glands (Poglayen-Neuwall 1988,1990).
Known Predators:
- great horned owls (Bubo virginianus)
- coyotes (Canis latrans)
- bobcats (Lynx rufus)
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Known predators
Bubo virginianus
Lynx rufus
Canis latrans
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
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Known prey organisms
Insecta
Amphibia
Reptilia
Aves
Mammalia
Zenaida asiatica
Columbina inca
Otus asio
Micrathene whitneyi
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
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General Ecology
Secretive, may be common in areas where seldom observed. In different areas, population density ranges from a few to about 20 per sq km. Home range may shift seasonally. Occurs singly or as pairs in local concentrations (Poglayen-Neuwall and Towell 1988).
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Life History and Behavior
Behavior
Communication and Perception
Ringtails have a variety of vocalizations. Adults can emit an explosive bark, a piercing scream, and a long, high-pitched call. Infants vocalize with metallic chirps, squeaks, and wimpers. Scent seems to be as important as vocalizations for communication within the species. B. astutus scent marks its home range territory by rubbing urine on the ground and on raised objects. During the mating season, ringtails increase their marking activity to attract a mate and deter competitors of the same sex (Nowak, 1999; Poglayen-Neuwall, 1988). It is likely that there is tactile communication between a mother and her offspring, as well as between mates.
Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
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Cyclicity
Comments: Activity mainly nocturnal, though sometimes also active at dusk and dawn. Active throughout the year.
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Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
The life expectancy of ringtails is about 7 years in the wild. A female kept in captivity reached the age of 16 (Poglayen-Neuwall 1988).
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 16 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 7 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 14.3 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 16.0 years.
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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Reproduction
Reproduction
The mating system of these procyonids has not been reported.
Female ringtails are undergo a single estrous cycle in a season, usually mating from February to May. Heat usually lasts from 24 to 36 hours. The gestation period is short among the Procyonidae, and ranges from 51 to 54 days. Birth usually occurs in May or June with a litter size ranging from one to four.
Females choose a den in a rock crevice, boulder pile, or tree hollow in which they bear their young. Newborns are altricial with a mass of 25 g. Neonates open their eyes around one month of age. The young can take solid food at 30 to 40 days of age and are weaned at about 10 weeks. The female is mainly responsible for care, and forages with her young beginning when they are about 2 months old. The father is sometimes tolerated and may play with the young as they grow older. Ringtails reach sexual maturity in both sexes near 10 months of age (Poglayen-Neuwall, 1990).
Breeding season: Breeding season occurs from February to May.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 5.
Range gestation period: 51 to 54 days.
Average weaning age: 10 weeks.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 10 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous
Average birth mass: 30 g.
Average number of offspring: 3.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 300 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 300 days.
Females are known to care for the young. They nurse the young for 10-12 weeks, and allow the young to accompany them when they forage. Males have been known to play with older offspring, and so may play some role in parental care, although no more than this has been documented.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female)
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Breeds February-May, mainly March-April. Gestation lasts 51-54 days. Parturition usually occurs in May or June. Litter size usually is 1-4. Young forage with mother at 60-100 days, stay with mother until late summer, when weaning occurs and they leave home den. Sexually mature usually at end of second year, though young-of-year may mate successfully.
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Bassariscus astutus
There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen. Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.
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Download FASTA File
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Bassariscus astutus
Public Records: 1
Species: 6
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
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Conservation Status
This species has no special conservation status.
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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National NatureServe Conservation Status
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
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NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
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Trends
Population
Population Trend
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Threats
Threats
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Management
Conservation Actions
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Needs: Benefits from protection of habitat by regulation of grazing and wood cutting (B82CHA01NA).
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Ringtails cause little economic damage. Occasional domestic poultry are taken and an occasional orchard tree is plundered (Nowak, 1999; Poglayen-Neuwall, 1988).
Negative Impacts: crop pest
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Ringtails are sometimes harvested for their fur, however, the coat is not of a very high quality and is generally used as trim only. In the 1976-77 trapping season, the United States produced 88,329 pelts, which sold for an average price of $5.50. The harvest of these animals peaked at about 135,000 in 1978-79 and has since declined. In the 1991-92 season only 5,638 skins were taken, and their average price was$3.62. Although ringtails now have protection in many states, many fall victim to traps set for other furbearing animals (Nowak, 1999; Poglayen-Neuwall, 1988).
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Economic Uses
Comments: Harvested for fur; annual harvest in Texas estimated in early 1980s at 75,000-100,000 (see Poglayen-Neuwall and Towell 1988).
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Wikipedia
Ring-tailed cat
The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a mammal of the raccoon family (thus not actually a cat), native to arid regions of North America. It is also known as the ringtail cat, ring-tailed cat or miner's cat, and is also sometimes mistakenly called a "civet cat" (after similar, though unrelated, cat-like omnivores of Asia and Africa). The ringtail is sometimes called a cacomistle, though this term seems to be more often used to refer to Bassariscus sumichrasti.
Contents |
Physical description
The ringtail is buff to dark brown in color with white underparts and a flashy black and white striped tail that has 14-16 white and black stripes,[2] which is longer than the rest of its body. The claws are short, straight, and semi-retractable.[3] The eyes are large and purple, each surrounded by a patch of light fur. It is smaller than a housecat, measuring 30–42 cm long with a tail of 31–44 cm and weighing 0.8–1.5 kg. Ringtails have occasionally been hunted for their pelts, but the fur is not especially valuable.
Range and habitat
The ringtail is found in California, Colorado, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, southern Nevada, Texas, Utah and throughout northern and central Mexico. Its distribution overlaps that of B. sumichrasti in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz.[3] It is found in rocky, desert as its habitat, where it nests in the hollows of trees or abandoned wooden structures. The ringtail is the state mammal of Arizona. It is also found in the Great Basin Desert. The Great Basin desert covers most of Nevada and over half of Utah, as well as parts of California, Idaho, and Oregon. The ringtail prefers to live in rocky habitats associated with water. These areas can include riparian canyons, caves, and mine shafts. It can also be found in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona,US.
Agility
The ankle joint is flexible and able to rotate over 180 degrees, a trait helping make it an agile climber. Their considerable tail provides balance for negotiating narrow ledges and limbs, even allowing them to reverse directions by performing a cartwheel. Ringtails also can ascend narrow passages by stemming (pressing all feet on one wall and their back against the other or pressing both right feet on one wall and both left feet on the other), and wider cracks or openings by ricocheting between the walls.[4]
Habits
Much like the common raccoon, the ringtail is nocturnal and solitary. But it is timid and seen much more rarely than raccoons. It is omnivorous, eating fruits, berries, insects, lizards, small rodents, and birds. Foxes, coyotes, raccoons and bobcats will prey upon ringtails. Hawks and owls may attack the young. They produce a variety of sounds, including clicks and chatters reminiscent of raccoons. A typical call is a very loud, plaintive bark. As adults, these mammals lead solitary lives, generally coming together only to mate.
Reproduction
Ringtails mate in the spring. The gestation period is 45–50 days, during which the male will procure food for the female. There will be 2-4 cubs in a litter. The cubs open their eyes after a month, and will hunt for themselves after four months. They reach sexual maturity at ten months. The ringtail's lifespan in the wild is about seven years.[5][dead link]
Domestication
The ringtail is said to be easily tamed, and can make an affectionate pet and effective mouser. Miners and settlers once kept pet ringtails to keep their cabins free of vermin; hence, the common name of "miner's cat" (though in fact the ringtail is no more cat than it is civet). The ringtails would move into the miners' and settlers' encampments and become accepted by humans in much the same way that some early domestic cats were theorized to have done. At least one biologist in Oregon has joked that the ringtail is one of two species— the domestic cat and the ringtail— that thus "domesticated humans" due of that pattern of behavior.
Often a hole was cut in a small box and placed near a heat source (perhaps a stove) as a dark, warm place for the animal to sleep during the day, coming out after dark to rid the cabin of mice.
References
- ^ Timm, R., Reid, F. & Helgen, K. (2008). Bassariscus astutus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 26 January 2009.
- ^ Lu, Julie. "The Biogeography of Ringtailed Cats". San Fransisco University. http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall02%20projects/Ringtail.htm. Retrieved December 2010.
- ^ a b Poglayen-Neuwall, Ivo; Toweill, Dale E. (1988). "Bassariscus astutus". Mammalian Species (327). http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-327-01-0001.pdf.
- ^ Williams, David B. "Ringtail Cat (Bassariscus astutus)". DesertUSA.com. http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/mar/papr/ringt.html. Retrieved December 2010.
- ^ Postanowicz, Rebecca. "Ringtailed Cat". lioncrusher.com. http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=84. Retrieved 3/6/07.
- Nowak, Ronald M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8032-7
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Unreviewed
Names and Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Comments: See Decker and Wozencraft (1991) for a phylogenetic analysis on procyonid genera (analysis based on skeletal and soft morphological characters).
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