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bassarisk

bassarisk

9.9
A small mammal like a raccoon with a long bushy tail ringed black and white
  • noun
  • /ˈbæsəˌrɪsk/
  • US
: bassarisco
  • While exploring the desert, we encountered a bassarisk with its striking black and white-ringed tail.

Examples

  • We spotted a bassarisk while hiking through the canyon in Arizona.

  • The bassarisk is well known for its agility and nocturnal habits.

  • A bassarisk may use its distinctive tail rings to communicate with others in its territory.

  • I saw a bassarisk in the wild last summer.

  • The bassarisk is known for its distinctive tail.

  • The bassarisk is a fascinating creature that resembles a raccoon and is often seen at night.

  • After several hours of searching, we finally caught a glimpse of a bassarisk darting across the trail.

Synonyms

civet cat
vsbassarisk
  • US
1 8.1

A raccoon-like animal from Mexico and southwestern US with a long bushy tail with black-and-white rings

is the primary descriptive name, not a list of alternate terms
ringtail
vsbassarisk
  • US
1 8.1

A small North American mammal like a raccoon with a long bushy tail with black and white rings

is the same animal described in general terms
raccoon fox
vsbassarisk
  • US
1 9.9

A small wild fox from Mexico and the US with a long bushy tail with black and white rings

focuses on appearance and origin without mentioning diet
ring-tailed cat
vsbassarisk
  • US
1 8.5

An animal like a raccoon that has a long bushy tail with black and white rings

is the straightforward descriptive name focusing on overall appearance
Bassariscus astutus
vsbassarisk
  • Specialized
9.9

A small animal like a raccoon with a long bushy tail with black and white rings

is the common descriptive name not the taxonomic label
miner's cat
vsbassarisk
  • US
9.9

A small animal like a raccoon with a long tail with black and white rings

is the neutral descriptive term rather than a local nickname

Surface Forms

bassarisk singular
bassarisk plural

Etymology

Bassarisk comes from the scientific name Bassariscus, which comes from an old word for 'fox', so the name points to a small, fox-like animal. The creature is also called a 'ringtail', which helps you remember its long, bushy tail with black and white rings.