While it may be as curious and agile as a cat, the ringtail cat is actually a member of the raccoon family. These small mammals make their home in arid, sparse areas of North America like Texas. Ringtail cats are usually found in environments like canyons or caves, but their desire for food or shelter can cause them to make their way into homes or businesses.

If you’ve spotted a ringtail cat or think you’ve seen some signs of one, the team of experts at Urban Jungle Wildlife Removal offers an array of services, ranging from trapping to cleanup and sanitation, to rid your space of any unwelcome critters.

Appearance

Ringtail cats have a unique appearance, looking almost like a lemur or a combination of a squirrel and raccoon. They have a small, slender body and weigh about two to three pounds on average.

Their most notable feature, unsurprisingly, is their long, striped tail. Their tail, which is usually about 12 inches long, has alternating bands of black and white fur.

Diet

Ringtail cats are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. These critters aren’t that picky — they’ll eat everything from insects to lizards to fruit. Their diet can also consist of bird eggs, birds, rodents and cacti. They are nocturnal, coming out after sundown to hunt around for food and water.

Behavior

A ringtail cat possesses some of the best climbing skills. This is mainly due in part to their body. Their tails, which provide balancing support, and semi-retractable claws help them stay safe and secure when scaling tree trunks, house siding, or making steep descents. Their ankle joints are also extremely flexible, easily rotating 180 degrees, which also helps them stay nimble and agile when climbing all kinds of surfaces.

Unless it’s mating season, ringtail cats are usually solitary creatures with a territory that spans several miles. Once ringtails mate and have a litter, the mother will care for the cubs until they are around two months old.

Sounds

Ringtail cats can make a variety of sounds. When young, ringtails will make squeaking sounds. Then, when they get older and it’s mating season, female ringtail cats will make loud chirping sounds.

Adult ringtails also use many other vocalizations. Just like raccoons, they can click and chatter. They can also make barking sounds when they are scared and even emit a sharp-sounding scream.

Signs of Ringtail Cats

Because ringtail cats are nocturnal, you may not actually see one in your home or business. Instead, you may hear sounds of them scurrying or jumping around. These small critters can make their way inside areas like roof vents, in search of rodents.

While it’s good that ringtail cats eat rodents, you still don’t want them inside because they can cause significant damage to insulation, and ductwork. They also carry diseases, putting all occupants and pets at risk.

Protect Your Property From Ringtail Cats

If you think you have ringtail cats in your attic, Urban Jungle has you covered. Our team will carefully inspect your home or business, looking for entry points, and then we will provide you with a custom solution that could involve trapping, sealing, repairing and sanitizing your space.

Ready to rid your property of ringtail cats? Contact us today to get started.