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People Are Loving These Adorable Ringtail Cats That Are Native To North America
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People Are Loving These Adorable Ringtail Cats That Are Native To North America

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Which animal would get your vote for the ‘cutest in North America?’ Before you make up your mind, make sure to acquaint yourself first with the adorable ringtail cat, a common but elusive little nocturnal animal found primarily in West and Southwest USA.

Image credits: CSERC

These adorable animals are very wary of humans and are spotted less often than their close cousins, the raccoon. Because you see, while they are known as ringtail cats, they are actually not related to felines at all but belong to the raccoon family known as Procyonidae. The ringtail does have certain characteristics that remind us of a cat, though. For example, it cleans itself by licking its forepaw then uses it to wipe and clean its ears, face, and snout.

Image credits: timlawsonphoto

The ringtails are also known by other names. They are called miner’s cats in some areas of the Midwest because they were commonly seen around mining camps, hunting for the rodents that were attracted to the miners and their food.

Image credits: privacychair

Some people also call them civet cats because when something or someone frightens them, and they feel like they are in danger, they secrete the most disgusting odor from their anal glands in self-defense. Not so cool, that particular feature of these cute animals!

Image credits: crittergal

These North American animals have a long and bushy tail, usually longer than the rest of the body. The large, dark brown eyes are masked by vivid white, and their pointy ears give an almost fox-like appearance.

Image credits: solivagaserpent

Like foxes, they have a developed set of sharp teeth, perfect for their omnivorous diet which primarily is made up of rodents, insects, rabbits and ground squirrels. The agile climbers and hunters will quite happily munch on snakes, lizards, birds, and frogs too, as well as acorns, berries, and fruit from the orchards. Hungry little things they are!

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

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Image credits: caseysmarttphoto

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Image credits: Pixelfugue

Despite their reputation as active hunters of smaller prey, the ringtails have got to be careful of predators themselves. Such American animals as great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), coyotes, (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor) all have ringtail cat on their menus, so our cute little friends need to be wary when they are out and about on the hunt.

Image credits: michael_pierceall

Image credits: michael_pierceall

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

It might be hard to see the ringtail, being nocturnal creatures and also very shy, but you just might be able to hear them if they are close by. With load and varied range of calls, this is probably what will first alert you to their presence.

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Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

Image credits: davisjlevi

Image credits: hairyhalls

When attacked the ringtail will not only release its foul skunk-spray, but it will emit an ear-shattering scream to go along with the stench. Adult ringtails communicate with each other via loud barking or a long-high wailing, whilst the young speak in a series of chirps and squeaks.

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

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Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

In 1988, when schoolchildren were given the task of voting for the state’s animal, they decided on the ringtail. With cute and cuddly looks like these, who could blame them? We can only assume that very few of those schoolchildren accidentally activated that stinky anal gland though…

Image credits: emmanuellegeis

Image credits: NPS (no claim to original U.S. Government works)

Image credits: Robertbody

Image credits: Jerry Kirkhart

Have you ever come across one of these adorable creatures in the wild? What do you think? Would you vote for the ringtail in a cuteness contest? What are its main rivals in North America? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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Image credits: Daderot

Image credits: shutterbuggin65

Image credits: angellicatorres1

Image credits: CSERC

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deb-lucas avatar
Dilly Millandry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, those glorious tails! Such cute little faces as well. That little one that's wet - melted my heart.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all, BP manages to surprise me. I now have an urge to find one of these critters and pet it.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, they have been domesticated in the past, particularly to catch mouse. It seems that they were called "miner's cat". And they are the state mammal of Arizona . :)

Load More Replies...
rebecca102176 avatar
Volant Butyrum
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As adorable as they are, I truly hope they don't become another domesticated animal that is discarded once they bite their owner for being the animals they are.

hehart14 avatar
edc_82 avatar
Lola
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have the cutest nose and mouth. Great, now I want one.

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are there some photos of one locked in a house? What would make some a*****e decide that they should imprison a wild animal and try to make a pet out of it? ...///... Some people are scum.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting, they don't looks like a rat too me, their face looks more like a baby fox or pomeranian.

slw303 avatar
Sue Prewitt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't love them. Please leave them alone. We have enough 'pets'.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really want one of these adorable little....."they secrete the most disgusting odor from their a**l glands in self-defense". Wait, what?! Um, nah I'm good.

cait_sith89 avatar
Evgeniya Khon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fennec fox finally met his match in the ultimate battle of cuteness overload!!

bobbypaluga avatar
Bobby Paluga
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen ringtails near Tucson in an area called Gate’s Pass. I didn’t realize they were as shy as mentioned as one hung around me watching every move I made while I was using a telescope to study stars. Gate’s Pass is a great place to go at night for stargazing and it’s not unusual to see the Ringtail, owls, and a desert fox now and then. When they are on the ground moving they seem to flex their rear legs higher than their front legs and head. They do appear to be larger in that position. My impression is of a curious cat that comes closer and closer based on your lack of threatening behavior. I had thought about lightly stroking its back before fear warned me about getting bit. Now I can add in the scent gland secretions as a reason to play it cool.

marvamcraft avatar
Mario Vela
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen a couple of them in the north of Mexico City, we call them Cacomixtle. Sadly, sometimes they suffer fatal accidents due to cars 'cause they're nocturnal so people can't see them.

aaaabbbb avatar
Aaaa Bbbb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the love child of a fennec and a raccoon with a level of synergistic cuteness that could induce acute oxytocin toxicity.

paolamartz avatar
Paola Martz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cacomixtles are such beautiful creatures! I'm very lucky to have them wandering at my garden, eating the fallen fruits from my trees. I love to watch them 😍

kanna172014 avatar
Bored Moogle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are these the same creatures that poop out partially digested coffee beans that rich people are suckered into buying?

nikkid avatar
Nikki D
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first animal I have ever seen that is almost as cute as my chinchilla!

gabrielhickner avatar
G@be Hickner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAHHHH!!! I need one in my life. when they said that the cats secrete an odor I thought of skunks

gabrielhickner avatar
G@be Hickner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAHHH!! I need one of them. The wet one looked so sad :( when they release that odor it reminded me of a skunk

deb-lucas avatar
Dilly Millandry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, those glorious tails! Such cute little faces as well. That little one that's wet - melted my heart.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all, BP manages to surprise me. I now have an urge to find one of these critters and pet it.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, they have been domesticated in the past, particularly to catch mouse. It seems that they were called "miner's cat". And they are the state mammal of Arizona . :)

Load More Replies...
rebecca102176 avatar
Volant Butyrum
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As adorable as they are, I truly hope they don't become another domesticated animal that is discarded once they bite their owner for being the animals they are.

hehart14 avatar
edc_82 avatar
Lola
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have the cutest nose and mouth. Great, now I want one.

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are there some photos of one locked in a house? What would make some a*****e decide that they should imprison a wild animal and try to make a pet out of it? ...///... Some people are scum.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting, they don't looks like a rat too me, their face looks more like a baby fox or pomeranian.

slw303 avatar
Sue Prewitt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't love them. Please leave them alone. We have enough 'pets'.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really want one of these adorable little....."they secrete the most disgusting odor from their a**l glands in self-defense". Wait, what?! Um, nah I'm good.

cait_sith89 avatar
Evgeniya Khon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fennec fox finally met his match in the ultimate battle of cuteness overload!!

bobbypaluga avatar
Bobby Paluga
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen ringtails near Tucson in an area called Gate’s Pass. I didn’t realize they were as shy as mentioned as one hung around me watching every move I made while I was using a telescope to study stars. Gate’s Pass is a great place to go at night for stargazing and it’s not unusual to see the Ringtail, owls, and a desert fox now and then. When they are on the ground moving they seem to flex their rear legs higher than their front legs and head. They do appear to be larger in that position. My impression is of a curious cat that comes closer and closer based on your lack of threatening behavior. I had thought about lightly stroking its back before fear warned me about getting bit. Now I can add in the scent gland secretions as a reason to play it cool.

marvamcraft avatar
Mario Vela
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen a couple of them in the north of Mexico City, we call them Cacomixtle. Sadly, sometimes they suffer fatal accidents due to cars 'cause they're nocturnal so people can't see them.

aaaabbbb avatar
Aaaa Bbbb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the love child of a fennec and a raccoon with a level of synergistic cuteness that could induce acute oxytocin toxicity.

paolamartz avatar
Paola Martz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cacomixtles are such beautiful creatures! I'm very lucky to have them wandering at my garden, eating the fallen fruits from my trees. I love to watch them 😍

kanna172014 avatar
Bored Moogle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are these the same creatures that poop out partially digested coffee beans that rich people are suckered into buying?

nikkid avatar
Nikki D
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first animal I have ever seen that is almost as cute as my chinchilla!

gabrielhickner avatar
G@be Hickner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAHHHH!!! I need one in my life. when they said that the cats secrete an odor I thought of skunks

gabrielhickner avatar
G@be Hickner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAHHH!! I need one of them. The wet one looked so sad :( when they release that odor it reminded me of a skunk

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