The cliff dwellings are favored by ringtails and in some years they are common near occupied dwellings in the area of headquarters. Ringtails have been seen in each major habitat within the Park.
Mustela frenata nevadensis Hall
Long-tailed Weasel
Specimens examined.—Total, 5: MV 7891/507, ♂, from the "Garden" [= Indian Cornfield]; ♀, MV 7892/507, also from the "Cornfield"; MV 7859/507, "Killed by car on Prater Grade"; ♂, MV 7871/507, in winter pelage, from the North Rim; and ♂, 83464, killed on the road ½ mi. NE of the tunnel, Morfield Canyon.
C.W. Quaintance in 1935 reported that on January 11, he and Mr. Nelson saw a weasel attack a cottontail, and on March 9, while on the snow plow, Mr. Nelson witnessed another cottontail being killed by a weasel. Weasels in white winter pelage have been recorded in December and January. The brown pelage has been seen as late as November.
Mustela vison energumenos (Bangs)
Mink
D. Watson (in letter of January 16, 1957) wrote: "When Jack Wade, now Chief Ranger, was doing patrol work in the Mancos Canyon back in the 1930's, he saw mink along the river at the east side of the Park. Several years ago, the people who lived on the ranch where Weber Canyon joins the Mancos trapped a mink." Tracks have been reported along the Mancos River in several years.
Spilogale putorius gracilis Merriam
Spotted Skunk
Specimen: Immature ♂, MV 7860/507, Cliff Palace, August 22, 1936, prepared by A.E. Borrell.
In some years these little skunks have become so numerous in the area of headquarters that they were a nuisance, and were captured in garbage cans and released in other parts of the Park.
Mephitis mephitis estor Merriam
Striped Skunk