Is a Ringtailed Cat a Raccoon?

The quick answer to this question is, yes. Continue reading to learn more about the Ringtailed Cat, and how they relate and differ from their distance relative, the raccoon.

Raccoon Control Indianapolis Indiana 317-875-3099
Raccoon Control Indianapolis Indiana 317-875-3099

Facts About Ring-Tailed Cats

The Ringtailed is a mammal that is a part of the raccoon family, Procyonidae. They are scientifically known as Bassariscus astutus, and sometimes referred to as “miner’s cat” or “bassarisk.” Although they are much different from the common raccoon we know, you would be surprised to learn that they are similar in many respects, including appearance, behavior, diet, and more.

Appearance

Ringtailed cats have upright ears, pointy snouts, long whiskers, and large black eyes that are surrounded by light-colored fur. Their bodies are covered in a semi-soft, thick fur that comes in various shades, ranging from buff and beige hues to dark browns and black.

Their most distinguishable trait is their raccoon-like black and white striped tail. It is longer than their actual body, usually between 14 and 16 inches. They use it for balance, camouflage, and protection from predators. It is the trait that gives them their name. And they also have short, straight, semi-retractable claws that aid in climbing.

As for size, adults are generally similar in size to a standard house cat. From head to rear (not to tail), they range between 12 and 17 inches, and weigh on average between 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. 

Diet

Like their relative, the raccoon, they are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetation. Meat choices include bugs, small mammals, and small invertebrates, such as insects, fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, mice, rats, rabbits, and even ground squirrels. While vegetation includes seeds, plant matter, berries, juniper, persimmons, nectar, prickly pear, and more. They will eat whatever is in season and readily available to them.

Behavior

Ringtails are nocturnal, just like raccoons. They have terrific hearing and vision, which allows them to navigate in the dark and forage for food. They use a series of barking, clicking, and chattering sounds just like raccoons as well.

They are quite solitary too, usually going about their business alone until mating season in spring. They are hardly seen around human activity and keep their distance as much as possible. Their primary predators vary from region to region, but include bobcats, coyotes, foxes, owls, hawks, and more.

Reproduction

Spring is mating season for Ringtailed cats. Males care for females during their gestation period, which lasts an average of 45 to 50 days. They bring them food and protect them from predators. Females generally give birth to 1 or 2 baby ring tailed cats, called pups.

After a month, pups will open their eyes. From there, they will stay with their mother until they can hunt for themselves. This usually takes place between 4 and 6 months, but sexual maturity isn’t reached until 10 months. After that, ring tails live in solitude until it is time to mate.

Are raccoons becoming a nuisance around your residential or commercial property in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured racoon control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

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Should I Be Afraid of Wild Raccoons on My Property?

Often time, raccoons wander into the local and residential communities in search of food and shelter.  As residential and commercial construction expands, the natural homes for these wild animals are depleting. This plus the fact that they multiply rapidly, ensures that wild raccoons will be spotted in the backyards, porches, roofs, driveways, and decks of our beloved homes. There are several options to consider if you have repeat raccoon visitors each night. Whether or not you should be afraid of them depends on the situation. 

Continue reading to learn about wild raccoons and the potential threat they pose to our health, homes, and property.

Indianapolis IN Raccoon Removal and Control
Indianapolis IN Raccoon Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Raccoons Can Carry Diseases

The first thing to be aware of when it comes to a possible raccoon encounter, is that they are common c carriers of diseases like rabies, Leptospirosis, roundworm, and more. Coming into contact with a wild raccoon puts you and your family at risk for contracting a raccoon illness or disease.  his is especially so if a raccoon bites or claws a person. Once a raccoon’s saliva, feces, urine, or other bodily excretion comes into contact with a person’s bloodstream, they are immediately exposed to the contagion.

When it comes to disease, you should be scared of touching or being attacked by a wild raccoon. Domesticated raccoons or pet raccoons have been vaccinated and raised in custody and probably won’t pass along any diseases; however, they can still bite and claw if they feel threatened. The bottom line is to not mess with a wild raccoon, and keep your distance if you ever see one nearby.

Raccoons Can Attack People

Wild animals are subjected to primal behaviors when it comes to protecting their territory and especially their young. If a person or pet provokes or antagonizes a wild raccoon, they will attack to protect themselves. They have sharp teeth and long claws that can rip through skin in seconds. Not only are raccoon bites and injuries extremely painful, but they can also pass along diseases and infections as well.  It is always best to avoid an encounter with a wild raccoon. If you see one, never feed it or offer it food, and never try to touch it.

Raccoons Can Cause a Lot of Damage

Wild raccoons are capable of causing an extensive amount of damage and mess to a home or property.  They are known to take shelter in residential and commercial areas, commonly invading attics, crawl spaces, roofs, vents, ducts, garages, sheds, porches, and more. They use these areas to protect themselves and their young from harsh weather and cold temperatures; as well as, for breeding grounds and feeding.

Once raccoons are occupying a particular area of a residential or commercial property, they immediately begin their destructive tendencies.  For instance, raccoons can chew through wood beams and electrical wiring, rip down attic insulation, and saturate dry wall, sheet rock, ceilings, and other areas of a home with urine and feces. 

Do you have a raccoon control problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed wildlife removal services for raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also provide attic restoration and cleanup.

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Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?

Raccoons are known to find their way into our homes, garages, barns, and porch spaces; however, do we really know how vulnerable our house is to such intrusion?  How do you determine your home’s level of exposure? Continue reading to learn ways to inspect and animal proof your house from raccoon invasion this winter season.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control
Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Home Inspections

To begin assessing how open your home is to the wild animal community, particularly raccoons, it is crucial to inspect the inside and outside of your house. Look for weak spots and pay close attention to dark, warm areas. These are ideal shelter spots for raccoons.  Indoors, try starting in your basement. If you do not have a basement, turn to your utility room, crawl space, or garage as an option in its place. 

In the basement or other areas, look in dark corners, and keep your eyes peeled for any open or exposed areas. These could be areas of access. If you do not see anything here, move on to the attic area. Attics are very popular spots for raccoons. They love the dark, warm shelter it provides. This is an ideal breeding ground for them too. If you do not have an attic, check under stairs and in closets.

Exterior of Your Home

Outside, raccoon access points are easier to spot. Look to your roof and try to observe any loose shingles or pried open areas. These are indications that raccoons have been breaking in. Check under porches and patios as well. These are also common areas of access and even areas of living for wild raccoons.

Hire a Pro for Comprehensive Inspections

Doing an interior and exterior inspection of your home is a tedious and difficult task.  Typically, it is recommended to hire a professional wildlife removal and control company to provide an inspection. They are highly trained and experienced professionals that know all the signs to look for, and how to remedy the disturbance within a convenient time frame. If you are having trouble, call a professional for advice. They can offer the best solutions and service. 

Animal-Proof Your Home

Once an inspection has been completed, it is important to move onto animal proofing your home right away. The areas that were labeled weak, exposed, and open should be sealed immediately. By closing off the areas of access, you can stop further intrusion. It is very crucial to have all existing raccoons removed from your home with the help of a professional company before sealing off these access points.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control Service

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, and free estimates. Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Budget Animal Removal