They have long tails with alternating black and white rings. Ringtails are more slender than raccoons, and adults are up to 32 inches (81 cm) long from the snout to the tip of the tail.
Their bodies are beige, with lighter fur on the belly, neck, and inside of the legs.
Ringtails have large, rounded ears, white rings of fur around their eyes, and pointed, fox-like muzzles.
Habitat
Ringtails are found throughout the Southwest, spreading as far north as Oregon, and as far east as Kansas.
They prefer rocky habitats, and in the Grand Canyon are found from the Rim to the River.
Behavior
While they are common animals in Grand Canyon, ringtails are nocturnal and secretive, meaning that they are rarely seen by visitors.
They are omnivores, and natural food sources include small mammals, insects, nuts, and fruit.
Ringtails will commonly steal food from humans, looting camper's packs, open trashcans, and dumpsters in the dark of night.
These small mammals are extremely agile, using their long tails to help them balance while traversing the steep slopes and boulders of the canyon.
Ringtails use their nocturnal behavior and sense of hearing to avoid predators, which include coyotes, bobcats, and great horned owls.
They spend the day sleeping in their den, which is usually in a hollow tree, rock crevice, underground burrow, or even in attics.
Adult ringtails are typically solitary animals, except adult females when caring for offspring. Adult females will usually have one litter a year.
