The long tail provides balance for negotiating narrow ledges and limbs, even allowing individuals to reverse directions by performing a cartwheel.

The ankle joint is flexible and is able to rotate over 180 degrees, making the animal an agile climber. It typically weighs around 0.7 to 1.5 kg (1.5 to 3.3 lb). Its body alone measures 30–42 cm (12–17 in) and its tail averages 31–44 cm (12–17 in) from its base. Smaller than a house cat, it is one of the smallest extant procyonids (only the smallest in the olingo species group average smaller). The claws are short, straight, and semi-retractable, well-suited for climbing. The white rings act as a target, so when the tail rather than the body is caught, the ringtail has a greater chance of escaping. The rings on its tail can also act as a distraction for predators. An adept climber, it uses its long tail for balance. Ringtails are primarily nocturnal, with large eyes and upright ears that make it easier for them to navigate and forage in the dark. These animals are characterized by a long black and white 'ringed' tail with 14–16 stripes, which is about the same length as its body. Ringtail on Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona. The ringtail's face resembles a mask as dark brown and black hair surround its eyes. The animal has a pointed muzzle with long whiskers, similar to that of a fox (its Latin name means ‘clever little fox’) and its body resembles that of a cat.

The ringtail is black to dark brown in color with pale underparts. The ringtail is the state mammal of Arizona. The species is known by variety of different names, such as ring-tailed cat, miner's cat, civet cat, and cacomistle (or cacomixtle), though the last of these can refer to B. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is widely distributed and well adapted to disturbed areas. The ringtail ( Bassariscus astutus) is a mammal of the raccoon family native to arid regions of North America.

Payson arizona animal skat