Aplodontia Rufa
|
Also known as a "boomer," the Mountain Beaver is neither a beaver, nor is it exclusively found in the mountains. Here at Outdoor School, we'll call it an Aplodontia for clarity. |
|
This sucker is old! according to the fossil record, the Aplodontia is the only remaining survivor of the oldest known family of living rodents. Since it's a rodent, it has big front teeth like a beaver, which continue to grow throughout its life. The Aplodontia is also host to the world's largest flea! Bummer for the boomer! An Aplodontia is only about 14 inches long, and the flea is three-eighths of an inch long. So, the world's oldest rodent has the world's largest flea. |
|
|
The Aplodontia can be found in western North America from Nicola Valley, British Columbia to the Nevada-California border in the Sierra Nevada. Why have you never seen an Aplodontia? They are nocturnal burrowers, meaning they live underground and are active primarily at night. Can you find the Aplodontia holes at this spot? |
|
Aplodontia like sword ferns best, and sometimes leave piles of vegetation just outside their burrow. Once the leaves wilt, they are dragged inside to be stored in a humid food chamber to stay moist. The burrow also contains a sleeping chamber, and a "latrine" where the animal leaves fecal pellets. Some chambers have been found to contain "Aplodontia Baseballs," or large clay balls the animal uses to wear down its teeth and block exits when it is away from its burrow.
Like rabbits, the Aplodontia is caprophagous (kuh-PRAW-fuh-jus), meaning it re-ingests its soft fecal pellets in order to absorb the nutrients better the second time around with the aid of bacteria. Yes, this means it eats its own poop. The fecal pellets that have already gone through twice are hard rather than soft, and are left in the burrow's latrine. |
|
Aplodontia make a great snack for bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, and great horned owls.
Try to find the Aplodontia rufa holes in the ground before starting to discuss the animal.
Pronunciation can be tricky. You can ask the question, "You like apple, don't cha?" and you'll be close to "aplodontia"
Have students take turns reading from the card, and make sure everyone can see the pictures.
Speculate about how far the tunnels go. Make a guess about where you think each of the rooms are underground.
Pronunciation can be tricky. You can ask the question, "You like apple, don't cha?" and you'll be close to "aplodontia"
Have students take turns reading from the card, and make sure everyone can see the pictures.
Speculate about how far the tunnels go. Make a guess about where you think each of the rooms are underground.
Additional Resources
|
|
|
