mountain beaver

American  

noun

1. a small, burrowing rodent, Aplodontia rufa, of the Pacific coastal region of North America, considered the most primitive living rodent.

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Etymology

Origin of mountain beaver

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

It lives on the mountain beaver, which is an abundant species, but it had not been photographed until recently.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 1, 2014

Much to our surprise, the mountain beaver ambled agreeably from the trap into the bag.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2014

But when I looked again, I found Merrill, eyes wide, skin pale, panting, the bag reclosed with the mountain beaver resting inside.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2014

Merrill and Peter set out with a group of undergraduates excited to spend a Saturday digging out mountain beaver tunnels on a nearly vertical bank.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2014

In addition to the above, marmots, mountain lions, wildcats, mountain beaver, coyotes, foxes, trade rats, and other animals are found in the park.

From Sequoia [California] National Park by United States. Dept. of the Interior