The ringtail is buff to dark brown in color with white underparts and a black and white "ringed" tail that has 14--16 white and black stripes, which is longer than the rest of its body.
The ringtail is buff to dark brown in color with pale underparts. These animals are characterized by a long black and white "ringed" tail with 14--16 stripes, which is the about the same length of its body.