Mountain Beaver (Click image to enlarge) 
Mountain Beaver (Click image to enlarge) |
Mountain Beaver Aplodontia rufa Mountain Beaver - also known as Aplodontia. Mountain Beaver is an odd name, as they have tiny tails and prefer lower lying areas to mountains. Mountain Beavers are burrowing animals that can build fairly elaborate tunnel networks; they are entirely vegetarian and can be numerous and active enough to cause significant damage. In any case, this individual came motoring up to me as dusk was falling on the Spruce Railroad Trail in Olympic National Park. It sniffed my shoes for a few seconds and then continued along the path as if nothing had happened, apparently undisturbed by my scent or the noise and flash of my camera. I missed several potential shots because it was too close to the camera! I had seen a couple of other Mountain Beavers crossing Highway 101 on the Olympic Peninsula earlier that week, but never thought I'd get such a close look at one. |
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