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

See Examples For:

mountain beaver

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

But the mountain beaver is considered the most ancient of rodents, and therefore is likely to carry among the most ancient of rodent fleas.

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