Christine,

Your description exactly matches Aplodontia, also known as Mountain Beaver.
Consider yourself fortunate to see this animal, as it is quite a secretive
species, spending much of its time in its underground burrow system in
shady, damp forests.
Mountain Beavers are a primitive mammal and I don't think they are rodents.
:)

Scott


-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Christine Giannini
Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2002 7:27 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: Speaking of rodent ID...


Hi all,
I saw a new rodent by my stream the other day and can't figure out what it
is. It was eating the bird seed on the ground at about 3 PM. About the
size of a small cat with charcoal gray fur, rounded face and head with round
cinnamon-colored ears standing out on its head. Raised up a bit and held
its front paws together. Moved minimally and slowly. From pictures I
could find on the net, it most closely matches a young porcupine? Couldn't
see a tail. Think that's possible in Everett?

Christine
Everett
c.giannini2 at verizon.net


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