00:00This is the ringtail cat. Despite its name, it is not related to felines.
00:05This small carnivorous mammal belongs to the raccoon family and inhabits the southwestern United States and Mexico.
00:12Distinguished by its striking black-and-white banded tail that's longer than its body,
00:17the ringtail sports large dark eyes, pointed ears, and grayish-brown fur.
00:22These nocturnal creatures are exceptional climbers,
00:25capable of rotating their hind feet 180 degrees to descend cliffs headfirst.
00:32Weighing only 1 to 3 pounds, ringtails are agile hunters that feed on insects,
00:37including venomous wasps, small mammals, birds, and fruits.
00:41They prefer rocky desert terrain, canyons, and oak woodlands.
00:45Often called miners' cats, historically, miners welcomed them in camps
00:50because they managed rodent populations effectively.
00:53They are somewhat feisty when threatened.
00:56Even coyotes get defeated by them.
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