What does "miner's cat" mean?

Synonym of ringtail (“Bassariscus astutus”).

Miner's cat

Common synonyms include: bassariscus astutus, bassarisk, cacomistle, cacomixle, civet cat, coon cat.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Synonym of ringtail (“Bassariscus astutus”).
2
raccoon-like omnivorous mammal of Mexico and the southwestern United States having a long bushy tail with black and white rings wordnet

So called because miners once kept them as pets, for pest control.