Aplodontia is a mammal which is rarely seen, because it is naturally shy and is mainly nocturnal in habit. On the early morning of August 26, I saw one of the animals loping along its runway and sliding into its burrow in the Castlecrest Gardens.
Ranger-Naturalist R. R. Huestis reports: “During August 1941, a brown mountain beaver took temporary refuge just above the ramp leading to the Sinnott Memorial, using the lower part of a burrow system which has been occupied by a golden mantled ground squirrel for the last three seasons. During two days the mountain beaver made a number of emergences to gather forage or to run the few feet between two entrances to the burrow system, both of which had been somewhat enlarged to better fit the new occupant. The Sinnott Memorial ramp is one of the most traveled walks in the park, so many visitors had the chance of observing and photographing a mountain beaver’s feeding technique, an activity that many experienced naturalists have never observed. The animal itself largely ignored the presence of the gallery except when someone moved close to it. Most of the visitors had never heard that there was such an animal, and, being duly advised of its rarity in public places, were enchanted at their opportunity and stood hopefully for considerable periods of time with their cameras at the ready.”
On August 27, at the Munson Ridge location, I caught a male in a Verbail wire loop live trap. This capture was made to find out what foods the mammal would eat and to study its habits. Measurements of the individual were: total length: 326 mm; tail: 23 mm; hind foot: 59 mm; ear: 23.5 mm.
Characterized by short legs, tail and ears; exceeding small eyes; large feet with naked soles and strong claws; long and stiff whiskers; the animal is very primitive in appearance and resembles a Mazama pocket gopher, (Thomomys monticola mazamaMerriam), which has been enlarged fifteen times. Coarse, shiny dark guard hairs extend above the softer rich brownish or chestnut fur. Below each ear is a white spot. Its stout body and broad, blunt head makes it especially adapted to the burrowing life.
