Ringtails
have long, slender bodies from 14 to 16 inches
in length with bushy, equally long black
and white banded tails. The fur is a soft
grayish brown with black-tipped hairs. Both
the ears and eyes appear oversized, and the
latter are outlined in white making them
seem even larger. The legs are short, and
the hind feet can be rotated 180 degrees
like those of a tree squirrel, enabling the
animal to descend vertical surfaces. Weights
vary from 2 to 2 ½ pounds, the males
being slightly larger than the females. Primarily
a night-time animal, ringtails can be extremely
bold and unconcerned about the presence of
humans. Calls consist of a repertoire of
barks, chirps, growls, howls, and yips.
Ringtails are most common in the rocky regions of southern and western
Arizona with the Grand Canyon being especially favored with the presence
of these animals. About the only areas devoid of ringtails are flat, alluvial
valleys in that the animal prefers rocky hillsides, canyons, rock-walled
houses, and mine shafts.
Natural History
The ringtail’s diet varies with the seasons but usually consists
of small mammals, birds, lizards, and insects, as well as plant fruits,
e.g., tomatillo berries. In farm areas, the ringtail may be an important
predator on chickens and other poultry. Generally, four young are born
in the spring.
Hunting and Trapping History
Not having a particularly valuable pelt, the relatively easily trapped
ringtail is most often trapped during times when fur prices and trapping
activity are high. These animals can also be quite common, and in past
years ringtails contributed substantially to the state’s fur harvest.
The take in ringtails has dropped off significantly in recent years, however,
and now consists of only a couple of dozen animals
Habitat
