The ringtail is in the same family as the raccoon and coati (procyonidae) and is also known as the miner's cat, civet cat and cacomistle.
It's got a large range going from southwestern Oregon, thru most of California, southern Nevada, parts of Utah, western Colorado and into the midwest.
They can grow to be about two feet to two and a half feet long (including the long tail) and weight around two to two and a half pounds.
They live in narrow dens padded with moss, grass, or leaves in tree holes, in cliffs, between or under rocks, hollow trees, stumps or logs.
They are omniverous eating berries, fruits, small rodents, insects and amphibians; and, as evident by the photos, are nocturnal.