Ringtail Distribution and Natural History
Distribution
Bassariscus astutus is found throughout Mexico, the Southwestern United States and southern Oregon.
B. astutus is thought to be widely distributed in California, occurring in riparian, shrub, and lowland forest habitat. My current research aims to update their statewide distribution map.
Natural History
B. astutus belong to the family Procyonidae, a relative of the raccoon. Like other procyonids, ringtails are omnivorous with their diet varying based on seasonal and geographical availability. Predators of smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, ringtails can also subsist on high quality plant material, such as mistletoe and juniper. Predators of ringtails are larger carnivores such as owls, coyotes, and bobcats.
Ringtails nest in rock recesses, logs, hollows of trees, and will inhabit manmade enclosures. In fact, a population of ringtails has been identified inhabiting the visitor's center of Yosemite Valley.
The species is nocturnal and mostly solitary, except during mating/breeding season February-May when females exhibit parental care, nursing until about 12 weeks of age and then foraging with the young. Males have been observed playing with older young but little has been studied regarding biparental care and social structure.
"Sally and Daughter" - Photo by David Wyatt