Arizona State Mammal Ringtail

It was named the state mammal in 1986.
Arizona state mammal ringtail. Did you know the state mammal of arizona is the ringtail. The ringtail is the official mammal of arizona. How to spot a ringtail you may know ringtails as a desert southwest species state mammal of arizona but ringtails have a much wider range. The unique ringtail bassariscus astutus was designated the official state mammal of arizona in 1986.
Ringtail bassariscus astutus the ringtail sometimes called the ringtail cat or miner s cat is actually a member of the raccoon family the small squirrel sized ringtail is arizona s state mammal. It was so designated by a vote of arizona s schoolchildren in 1986. The ringtail is the state mammal of arizona. Their relatives include the coati and the racoon.
They are not related to cats at all. Half of a ringtail s length is its bushy tail which is ringed with black and white. Ringtails are sometimes called ringtail cats or miner s cats. Though fairly common at saguaro national park they are secretive and rarely show themselves.
Ringtail cats are actually members of the raccoon family. They can be found all the way up the west coast into southwestern oregon and northeast as far as oklahoma. The tail is about the length of its head and body with 14 to 16 black and white bands and a black tip. Rocky terrain is their preferred habitat and many live in the red rock canyons of sedona and all along oak creek canyon.
The ringtail bassariscus astutus also known as ringtail cat miner s cat and cacomistle is not actually a cat but is related to the raccoon and coatimundi ringtails are small and slender and about 2 1 2 feet long. The ringtail is a cat sized carnivore resembling a small fox with a long raccoon like tail. Also called ringtail cat miner s cat and cacomistle ringtails are cat sized carnivores that resemble a small fox with a long raccoon like tail in fact they are related to the raccoon and coatimundi. It is commonly found in rocky desert habitats where it nests in the hollows of trees or abandoned wooden structures.
The name ringtail comes from the seven or eight black and white rings on the animal s tail. It was named the state mammal in 1986. In august 1986 the ringtail became the state mammal of arizona. The ringtail is also known as the ringtail cat miner s cat and cacomistle.
Ringtail are sometimes wrongly called ringtail cats or miners cats. The ringtail cat arizona state mammal at home in sedona.