Arizona is home to a rich and diverse spectrum of wildlife. The ringtail (Bassaricus astutus) can be spotted in the elevated rocky terrain in the Arizona mountains. Although ringtails prefers rocky habitats close to water they sometimes find themselves nesting in homeowners attics. What are the identifying characteristics of the ringtail and how can they be safely and humanely removed from properties?
Ringtails can be readily identified by their long raccoon like tails with alternating white and black bands. Ringtails have white circles around their eyes, grey bodies and relatively short legs. Ringtails typically weigh between 1-2 lbs and measure in around 2 feet including their tails. They are well adapted to desert living and can navigate the terrain effortlessly.
Ringtails are nocturnal critters with great night vision. Their upright rounded ears make it easier for them to listen to their surroundings. The hind feet of the ringtail can rotate 180 degrees making these critters competent acrobats and climbers. Ringtails can vertically ascend cacti, cliffs, trees and walls of homes.
Ringtails are classified as opportunistic omnivores and eat a variety of foods. Staples in their diet include rodents, birds, birds eggs, fruits, snakes, insects and lizards. They are also known to rummage through trash and take advantage of unprotected pet and bird food. Naturally they are prey to owls, coyotes and bobcats. Ringtails are denning critters and seek specific characteristics when looking for a home.
Ringtails are partial to dens that offer dark quiet atmospheres. Similar to raccoons, ringtails will den in hollows of trees, abandoned burrows, rock crevices and even attics.
Ringtails are able to squeeze into some pretty tight spaces and do not need much of an invitation to enter an attic. Like most attic invaders ringtails will take advantage of loose gable screening, missing shingles or construction gaps around a roof. They can be safely removed from a property with live cage traps.
Ringtails are sometimes incorrectly classified as cats. In actuality ringtails are not related to cats at all. They are however related to raccoons and coati.
If a homeowner is hearing noises from their attic at night and see a cantaloupe sized hole around their home they may be dealing with a ringtail. Calling a professional wildlife company to inspect and identify the nuisance is always recommended. For more information on ringtails or their removal contact the wildlife professionals at Critter Evictors!