Stats

Lifespan

7-14 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Desert

Range

North America

Movement

Climbing

Breeding

Live birth

Defense

Camouflage

Status

Uncommon

About

A cat-sized relative of the raccoon named for its long, bushy black-and-white banded tail. Its hind ankles can rotate a full 180 degrees, letting it descend trees and cliffs headfirst and earning it the old miners' nickname "miner's cat" for keeping camps free of rodents.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Procyonidae

Genus

Bassariscus

Species

Bassariscus astutus