CANYON, Texas — “He’s hoppin’!” An elusive ringtail cat was spotted in a rare sighting by park rangers at Palo Duro Canyon State Park during surveys earlier this month.
Palo Dura Canyon State Park posted on their Facebook page about the sighting on September 12.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, ringtail cats are small, nocturnal mammals known for their large eyes and upright ears, adaptations that aid in night foraging.
Ringtails eat a wide variety of foods, according to TPWD. Birds, rodents, carrion, reptiles and amphibians, and insects such as grasshoppers and crickets form the bulk of their diet. They also eat native fruits and berries.
The ringtail cat kind of resembles a small fox with a raccoon-like tail that has alternating black and white rings, according to TPWD. Their long, ringed tails are crucial for balance and can also serve as a distraction to predators.
While they are typically solitary animals, ringtails only come together for the mating season in mid-spring. They can be recognized for their loud, plaintive barks and a range of other vocalizations
The ringtail cat prefers rocky areas near water sources such as riparian canyons, caves, or old mine shafts, TPWD said. You can find them in the Great Basin, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts.
