A unique mammal lives in the brushy slopes, ravines, and forest underbrush in
Washington State. It is secretive and elusive. It’s the last of its ancestors. However, it doesn’t
plan on going away anytime soon. There are likely mountain beavers in every county of
Western Washington. So, why don’t we see beaver dams all over the place? It’s not a beaver at
all. How can the mountain beaver’s population be so large and yet so unknown? It’s a case of
mistaken identity. Its history, lifestyle, attitude, and interaction with the environment cause
researchers and home owners alike to
shake their heads in confusion. What is
a mountain beaver? The mountain
beaver is a rodent. It looks like a large—
very large—hamster. Adults are shaped
like a football and weighs between 2-
pounds.
Its
body is red, brown, and black. Tiny ears
and long, silver whiskers trail down the
sides of its cheeks, while sharp claws
adorn the long, skinny feet allowing the
beaver to burrow underground and
climb trees. It sometimes stands up on
its back feet and sniffs the air wary of
predators. When it wants to make noise
(which it usually doesn’t), it gnashes its
front and lower teeth against each other.