SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Ringtail cats are members of the raccoon family and not related to felines in any way. To me they seem, in appearance and behavior, like a cross between cats and foxes. Though they are not uncommon around here, I've rarely caught them on my trail cams until I found this little canyon, where they routinely appear in nighttime videos. Until several weeks ago I've always gotten solitary animals, and judging from the size difference in earlier videos I assume this is a mother ringtail and her naughty little one. In all the videos the smaller one (they are now the same size) acts frisky and playful and very much tuned in to the other. In the video from which these snapshots were taken, the "baby" investigates my tub full of water while the adult laps from a small trickle in the rocks, then turns to ambush her, biting at her underside as she sails over it. [In a series of photos excerpted from videos last winter in this same canyon, a young coyote pulls the same stunt with its mother. Must be something in the water.]

They are much smaller than house cats, topping out at not much over three pounds, and half their length is tail. Miners used to keep them as pets to cut down on the vermin population; I even read about a tavern in Arizona that had a resident ringtail who lived inside way back when. It'll be interesting to see how long these two stay in each other's company. I like the location of this camera so will probably leave it where it is for many months.

I hope you find these guys as perfectly adorable as I do.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

It must be that "city" water you bring them. They are adorable!!! I sincerely hope they come back and we get to see more of them.

Dodie

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

It is good that you have a "trigger" warning. They are so cute they could cause a diabetic to go into shock (LOL).

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I'm pretty sure you will see them again. Now that the monsoon has pretty much become a memory, I am hauling my charmed city water again out to the tubs. I'd gotten lazy.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I hope you are not describing something that actually happened!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Cool pics Feral. They are interesting little devils. But don't turn your back on them if you have any food that you want to keep!.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Your trail cams pick up the most interesting things!

Susan yamakawa

😊👍

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Cute Critters.

Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

They are adorable. Almost makes me want to find a rocky trail to climb carrying gallons of water. Wait! What did I just say? Never mind, I’ll just sit on the couch and admire you and your work. Thanks for sharing!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Cute little critters. Are these the origin of the description, “ring tailed tooter”?

Stan

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Neat shots of these cute little guys. I assume these are IR image.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Great captures; are you anywhere near Taos?

Zooman 1

Glad you got photos of them. Earlier this year I set up to get photos of ringtails, in Arizona, got excited when I got a glimpse of a ring tail in the low light, but it turned out to be a raccoon!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Awesome ⭐⭐⭐⭐