The Ringtail occurs in a variety of habitats: semi-arid oak forests (Quercus), Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) or juniper (Juniperus) woodland, montane conifer forests, chaparral, desert, dry tropical habitats and rocky or cliff areas (Poglayen-Neuwall and Toweill 1988). It adapts well to disturbed areas and is frequently found in human habitation (Barja and List 2006). Reports on home range include 5.0 to 13.8 ha for four individuals (Lacy 1983), 43.4 ha (35 and 51.7 ha) for two males and 20.3 ha (15.7 to 27.7 ha) for three females (Toweill and Teer 1980) and 136 ha (49 to 233) for nine individuals. Ringtail is a nocturnal carnivore with some crepuscular activity and is solitary, except for the breeding season (Toweill and Toweill 1978, Poglayen-Neuwall and Toweill 1988). It breeds at the end of February and gives birth in May (Poglayen-Neuwall and Poglayen-Neuwall 1980). It eats rodents, insects, birds, and a good amount of fruit (Trapp 1978, Aranda 2000).

The Ringtail is widely distributed in Mexico and across the United States of America from southern Oregon and California through the south-western states to Texas (Hall 1981, Poglayen-Neuwall and Toweill 1988). In Mexico, its distribution is from the desert region of the Baja California peninsula to Oaxaca. Three islands in the Gulf of California are included in its distribution: Tiburón, Espíritu Santo, and San José (Lawlor 1983). The species is usually distributed from sea level to 1,400 m a.s.l. with records at 2,000 and 2900 m a.s.l. (Poglayen-Neuwall and Toweill 1988).

The Ringtail occurs in a number of protected areas.