Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus

• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Procyonidae (Raccoon and Relatives)
• Species: Bassariscus astutus (bass-uh-RISK-us ass-TOO-tus)
• Common English Names: Ringtail
• Common Spanish Names: Cacomixtle

Bassariscus astutus. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) on exhibit in the Centennial Museum Mammal/Bird Gallery.

Remarks

This nocturnal hunter often is called a "ringtail cat", but is not closely related to the cats and use of that name should be discouraged. It belongs to the same family as the Raccoon.

Skull Images

Last Update: 27 Jul 2009