The North American Ringtail Cat Is About To Become Your New Favorite Animal, Ever
Move over, domesticated cats. Get out of the way, skunks and opossums. Watch your back, trash pandas. There is a new adorable animal making its way through internet fame, and it is about to surpass them all in cuteness and popularity points: the ringtail cat, a wild animal native to North America.
The ringtail cat is found mostly in the western and southwestern United States, but it has managed to be both common and elusive, which is no small feat. That only makes the fascination stronger, because these little critters are somehow everywhere and still hard to spot.
And once you see why people are obsessed, it is hard not to join in. Read on.
Are you ready to learn all about the ringtail cat?
Notoriously shy and wary of humans, the ringtail cats are closely related to raccoons. Of course, we've all seen our fair share of raccoons! Ringtail cats may have 'cat' in the name, but they're not even related to felines at all. As cousins of raccoons, they belong to an animal family known as Procyonidae. The ringtail cat probably acquired its cat-centered name as opposed to 'elusive but adorable raccoon thingie' because it possesses some adorably similar characteristics to our beloved cats. I'm sure you're dying to know what...
Much like cats, the ringtail cat cleans itself by licking its forepaw, then uses it to wipe and clean its ears, face, and snout.
Ringtail cats have a variety of nicknames, too. Sometimes they are referred to as 'miner’s cats,' particularly in areas of the Midwest where they are typically spotted at mining camps, hunting for the rodents attracted to the miners and their yummy food.
That tiny face is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Another common nickname for the ringtail cat is 'civet cat,' because when something (or someone) startles or frightens them, or any time they feel they might be in danger, they pull a foul move straight out of the skunk handbook: they secrete a disgusting odor from their anal glands. Okay, that's like negative two points on the cuteness meter. I'd take a few more points off, but we can only dispute a rational self-defense mechanism so much.
I suspect by the 'who, me?' facial expression on this civet cat that he knows what we think of his stinky butt.
Surely by now you've noticed their precious bushy tails (which tend to be longer than the entire animal itself), but that's not all that is impossible not to notice about them. Courtesy of their large, dark brown eyes and their vivid white masks, all topped with the cutest pointy ears we've seen in ages, the ringtail cat looks an awful lot like another favored critter: the fox.
The ears and mask aren't the only things the ringtail cat has in common with foxes, either. Just like foxes, they have developed a set of sharp teeth. These particular teeth are perfect for their omnivorous diet, primarily consisting of rodents, insects, rabbits, and ground squirrels, but they also enjoy plants, acorns, berries, and other fruits on occasion. Additionally, they're known for being 'agile climbers' and very proficient hunters. You'd think a critter that eats rabbits would have to be skilled, but since they live in the southwest of North America, it might not surprise you to know they hunt and munch on birds, frogs, lizards, and even snakes as well! They're very versatile animals when it comes to nutrition.
It only gets more ridiculous from here.
According to DesertMuseum.org:
The ringtail prefers to live in rocky habitats associated with water. These areas can include riparian canyons, caves, and mine shafts.
Also according to DesertMuseum.org:
Ringtails 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 structures. They have excellent eyesight as well as hearing, both helpful adaptations for a nocturnal animal.
But ringtails aren't all predator and effective hunter, climber extraordinaire. They're also vulnerable to becoming prey because a wide variety of animals are more than happy to munch on ringtail cats themselves, including Great Horned Owls, Coyotes, Bobcats, and Mountain Lions! I'm sure that's where their hiding and climbing expertise comes in handy.
Yes, that tail is real, and yes, it is unfairly cute.
It’s the same kind of surprise as a family discovering an abandoned kitten and uncovering a shocking twist.
Ringtail cats weigh about 1-2 pounds and are 24 inches in length (including the tail).
Ringtail cats may be mostly nocturnal and typically avoid contact with humans, but what you can't see... in this case, you can hear, courtesy of their notoriously loud and varied range of calls.
Per DesertMuseum.org:
In the wild, a ringtail will live around 6-9 years. They live much longer in captivity.
Somehow, the ringtail keeps looking like a cartoon character that wandered into the wild.
In August 1986, the ringtail became the State Mammal of Arizona.
Speaking of being loud and stinky, it's not just their stinky anal gland defense mechanism that gets put to use when the ringtail cat feels threatened. They reportedly 'will emit an ear-shattering scream' as well.
Adult ringtails communicate with each other via 'loud barking' or a 'long-high wailing.' However, younger ringtail cats speak in a series of chirps and squeaks.
At this point, resistance feels pointless.
Skunks and opossums have been domesticated; even raccoons have been on occasion, so that has left us curious about the ringtail cat. According to Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher:
'The ringtail, much like other domesticated animals, can form strong bonds with humans and provide companionship. Historically, miners and settlers kept pet ringtails to help control vermin in their cabins, similar to how cats have been integrated into human homes.' This reflects a broader trend of humans forming relationships with animals that assist in daily life, showcasing the ringtail's potential as a beloved pet.
Ringtails have been reported to exhibit fecal marking behavior as a form of intraspecific communication to define territory boundaries or attract potential mates.
It was schoolchildren who voted the ringtail cat the state mammal of Arizona in 1988.
Now it is officially impossible not to be charmed.
Want “murder mittens” drama? See cats with claws so cute they feel like a threat.
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