The Mountain Beaver is neither a true beaver nor a mountain dweller but is in fact the world's most primitive living rodent—the sole surviving member of a once-diverse family with a fossil record stretching back 40 million years. It burrows in moist forests along the Pacific Coast and must drink water frequently, unable to concentrate its urine effectively. Mountain beavers are important ecosystem engineers in Pacific Coast forests, creating habitat features used by many other species.
Best time to see a Mountain Beaver
The best time to see a Mountain Beaver is April–August, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 375 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Mountain Beaver? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Mountain Beaver sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Mountain Beaver?
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