Hiker Can’t Believe Her Eyes After Stumbling Upon A Rarely Seen Creature In Phoenix
Hiking is one of those things that makes you feel alive. Not only is it good for your body and mind, but it also gives you a front-row seat to nature’s surprises.
Jacqueline Hurst knows this better than most. She’s been hiking for years and has tackled countless trails.
But her most recent adventure at Phoenix’s Piestewa Peak is one she’ll never forget.
It started out like any other hike. Jacqueline was making her way along the familiar trails when something caught her eye: a glimpse of an animal in the rocks.
At first, she didn’t think much of it. She often spots birds, squirrels, and other critters along the way.
But then she noticed a tail that stopped her in her tracks. When she got a better look, Jacqueline instantly recognized it.
Sitting just a few feet away was a ringtail, Arizona’s state mammal, enjoying a piece of fruit near some shrubs. Jacqueline recalled in an interview:
“I saw that unmistakable beautiful tail.”
For those who haven’t seen one before, ringtails are a rare treat. They might look like small house cats at first glance, but they’re actually part of the raccoon family.
Their fluffy, striped tails are the giveaway. Native to the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, these little creatures aren’t endangered, but most people never get a close-up view of one.
Jacqueline considers herself incredibly lucky. She’s hiked Piestewa Peak almost a hundred times, and this was only the second time she’d ever spotted a ringtail, as she shared:
“They tend to avoid humans. I really hadn’t expected to ever see one again.”
One reason ringtails are so rarely seen is that they are mostly nocturnal. Their big eyes help them navigate the night, making daytime sightings unusual.
Jacqueline caught this tiny mammal just as the sun was rising, sharing:
“Very few people have been lucky enough to ever see one in person.”
She watched quietly, careful not to disturb it. She even managed to snap a few photos and record a short video, amazed at how small, cute, and delicate the animal looked.
Even while excited, Jacqueline worried a little about the ringtail. Wild animals getting used to humans can be dangerous for them, as she explained:
“Unfortunately, I think one of the reasons that this particular ringtail was still active after sunrise is likely because some hikers are either leaving food behind or actually feeding the ringtails. I think people believe they are doing a good thing, but they’re not.”
Eventually, the ringtail slipped back into the rocks and shrubs and disappeared from sight. Jacqueline continued her hike, her heart still racing from the experience.
She knew she had just witnessed a rare moment she would remember forever.
