this afternoon (7pm there) on the national geographic cam at pete's pond i saw this animal: about the size of an american fox or med size dog. not cat like in movement or shape. had a really long tail with rings like a racoon. it went easily into a tree and laid on a branch like the big cats do for a while. don't know any of the coloring because the night cam was on.
thanks for any help!!

Could be a genet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Spotted_Genet

thank you thit cho. i think that is exactly what it was. i did a quick search and think it was probably the small spotted genet.

Michael may be right, of course I did not see the animal so I don't know, but from your description I was thinking it could be an African Civet, which does have a ringed tail, is about the size you specified, and is a little bit dog-shaped.

Chris

hi chris, i looked at pics of both and i really think it was the genet.
the civet is a bit chunkier and shorter body length.
you guys are a great help though. i was stymied.