A gentleman [I can't remember his name] in my native plant club has one of the animal rescue operations. After our club tour here earlier in the year, he asked me if he could release a Ringtail close by the house here. There was everything that he needed to survive, especially the water in my ponds. I thought it over and decided it would be okay even though I know he will get some fruit off the trees next year. They are really cool little animals and I like the idea of having one around even though I think he is eating tomatoes to survive right now. I was pretty sure I saw him scurry off the other night from right at a tomato plant. Their main food source is berries and seeds, especially Hackberry seeds but they eat fruit and veggies as well. With this drought I'm sure my garden is his only food source.
When checking the next morning I found this.
I don't really care though. He couldn't put a dent in the damage the Cardinals do. Here is a picture in the animal carrier before he was released. As you can tell by the huge eyes, Ringtails are almost completely nocturnal and this is probably the only picture of one I'll ever get.
What a nice experience. They look so sweet, I am sure you don't mind sharing a "few" tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, Bob! I can share some of my veggies for this poor one too. No wonder you let him in!
ReplyDeleteIt's like an anime-d version of a raccoon!
ReplyDeleteHi Bob.
ReplyDeleteLook at him all comfortable, perched up in his blankets...it is a wonder you ever got it to leave! What a cool addition to your habitat. I have never seen one of these in the wild, and I am quite nocturnal. I suppose I live in too much of a suburban setting. Ahh to be in the country!
Great little "tropical looking" animal.
ESP.
What a cool photo of the ringtail!
ReplyDeleteMight be repeating myself, Bob, so apologize if I've told you this story. We saw one in a suburban setting at our previous Austin house on a canyon...a ringtail looked into our bedroom through a slider door on the the third deck. By the time I recovered enough to yell for a camera and an animal ID book he was gone. We saw him on tall wooden light poles later on, but later that year the wild area near our house was cleared and some big, expensive houses were built.
Yeah, I'd give up a few peppers to see one again, too!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
That is amazing! I would love to see a ringtail. I'm happy to know that they are out there.
ReplyDeleteSweeet! What a cutie!
ReplyDelete