Bassariscus astutus (ringtail)
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Procyonidae |
| Genus | Bassariscus |
| Species | Bassariscus astutus |
| Common | ringtail |
| Diet | Omnivorous, but prefers eating animals. |
| Habitat | Usually low elevations. Rocky outcroppings, canyons, talus slopes. Deserts to montane conifer forests. |
| Description | White face-mask, prominent ears. Bushy tail with black and white rings (usually 8 bands, broken on ventral surface). Smaller and thinner than a raccoon. |
| Skull Characteristics | Palate extends no farther than posterior margin of the last upper molar (cp. raccoon). Teeth more secodont than raccoon. |
| Notes | Links to more species information:
Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |