We had a Ring-Tailed Cat come by. They are rarely seen but are widely distributed. It’s probably the cutest wild animal that we’ve come across.
From Wiki:
The ringtail is black to dark brown in color with pale underparts. Ringtails have a pointed muzzle with long whiskers resembles that of a fox (its Latin name means ‘clever little fox’) and its body that resembles that of a cat. The ringtailed’s face resembles a mask as dark brown and black hair surround its eyes.[2] These animals are characterized by a long black and white “ringed” tail with 14–16 stripes,[3] which is the about the same length as its body. The claws are short, straight, and semi-retractable, well-suited for climbing.[4]
Smaller than a house cat, it is one of the smallest extant procyonids (only the smallest in the olingo species group average smaller). Its body alone measures 30–42 cm (12–17 in) and its tail averages 31–44 cm (12–17 in) from its base. It typically weighs around 0.7 to 1.5 kg (1.5 to 3.3 lb).[5] Its dental formula is 3.1.4.23.1.4.2 = 40.[6]
Ringtails are primarily nocturnal, with large eyes and upright ears that make it easier for them to navigate and forage in the dark. An adept climber, it uses its long tail for balance. The rings on its tail can also act as a distraction for predators. The white rings act as a target, so when the tail rather than the body is caught, the ringtail has a greater chance of escaping.[7]
Ringtails have occasionally been hunted for their pelts, but the fur is not especially valuable. Fur trapping has slowed down considerably, but current population sizes and growth rates remain unclear.[8]
