Though they have some cat-like habits, Ringtails are actually members of the raccoon family. At Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the fig tree is a favored place to feed. Add an Observation. Its bushy tail is flattened and nearly as long as the head and body, with alternating black and white rings. Rocky terrain is their preferred habitat, and many live in the red rock Canyons of Sedona and all along Oak Creek Canyon. Over 90 species of mammals call Grand Canyon National Park home, giving this park higher mammalian species diversity than Yellowstone. They can be found all over the Southwest, and up the West Coast into Southern Oregon. Here are just five interesting animal species you may encounter during your visit to the Grand Canyon. From the largest land animal in North America to some of the highest bat species diversity in the United States, Grand Canyon is home to a far larger mammalian population than many people think. Ring-Tailed Cat via Wikipedia. The small, squirrel-sized ringtail is Arizona’s state mammal. If you see one of these, you’ll know that “cat” is not exactly the word that comes to mind. Though fairly common at Saguaro National Park, they are secretive and rarely show themselves. Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) The ringtail, sometimes called the ringtail cat or miner’s cat, is actually a member of the raccoon family. Ringtails tend to live in rocky canyons near water, but they can also be found in dry areas such as dry, rocky hillsides. The Ringtail is a cat-sized carnivore resembling a small fox with a long raccoonlike tail. Grand Canyon National Park Check List View Plain Taxonomic Photo ← Prev 1 2 3 ... Western Black-Tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) Last seen on April 15, 2017 in Tuckup, Grand Canyon, North Rim | 0 comments.