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

Billo and a student also fenced off some areas with chicken wire to see whether ravenous mountain beavers — chunky rodents that love to dine on fronds — could be the culprit.

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

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

From New York Times

The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands — which includes jagged bluffs as well as tidal pools and sand dunes — provides habitat for several types of migratory waterfowl as well as the threatened Point Arena mountain beaver.

From Washington Post

The path will include stops to view an eagles nest and a mountain beaver colony.

From Seattle Times