| Scientific Name
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Bassariscus astutus
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| Classification
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Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyonidae
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| Status:
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| Range:
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Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
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| Habitat:
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Arid rocky regions and woodland areas near water
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| Diet:
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Omnivorous, small mammals, small reptiles, insects and fruit
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| Size:
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Length: 15-18 inches
Tail Length: 15-20 inches
Weight: 2-3 pounds
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| Lifespan:
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7 yrs.
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| Location:
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Print Fact Sheet
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Ringtail
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Special Features:
- They have 5 toes on each foot with semi-retractable claws. The back feet can rotate 180 degrees to allow them to descend headfirst.
- They have rounded ears and hairy soles of the feet.
- Scents are as important as vocalizations in communication.
Social Structure & Behavior:
Nocturnal, they spend the day in a den. When it first awakens, it will groom itself before going out to hunt. It will groom again after eating.
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.
Reproduction:
Sexual maturity at 10 months. Gestation 45-50 days resulting in a litter size of 2-4 kits. Mating season is in April. Males provide food for the pregnant females. Cubs eyes open at 30 days. Cubs hunt independently at 4 months
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