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While exploring for fluorescent minerals in San Benito County I've seen lots of interesting wildlife including wild pigs, a bobcat, tarantulas, etc., but one year in September I stopped to investigate a streambed and saw these rare animals. The location was way out in the dry countryside but technically not that far from Hollister. Ringtail Cats are mammals of the Raccoon family. |
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| Look closely and you can see 2 Ringtailed Cats. This was my first good view of them as they slowly ambled up a still muddy creek bed in San Benito County. |
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| The Ringtail Cats were looking for food in the muddy remnants of a creek that had stopped flowing by September. |
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| I was not sure what they were at first. They seemed similar to raccoons but raccoons are nocturnal and these didn't look exactly like racoons. |
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| Notice the stream mud and debris. The Ringtails were interested in finding food in the mud like worms. The Ringtails had a dirty appearance. |
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| The Ringtails passed right below my location. I stayed very still and quiet. They were very close. Note the sensitive snout they use for locating food in muddy environments |
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| The pair took a break in the shade. Then they left and so did I. I drove further up the road until it reached a ranch gate, which was disappointing. I did find one new fluorescent mineral location near the end of the road. |
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