Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Mountain Beaver
Aplodontia rufa (olympica)
Aplodontia
rufa
(olympica)
Not really a Beaver at all, the species is considered to be the most primitive rodent in existence. Originally two subspecies (A.r.rufa and A.r.rainieri) were thought to inhabit the southern Cascade Mountains and parts of the Fraser Lowlands in British Columbia, but recent genetic work suggests they should be considered one subspecies A.r.olympica.
Also referred to as “Aplodontia,” “Boomer,” “Ground Bear,” or “Giant Mole". Mountain Beaver are primarily a fossorial (sub-surface oriented) rodent living in burrows in and near moist riparian forest communities. Most burrow colonies are in areas with proximity to a water source, well-developed, firm soils, and abundant vegetation. Little is understood about BC’s populations which are limited in distribution and subject to a number of threats from human activities including forest clearing, development, genetic isolation and domestic pet predation.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
Status
Global Status:
G5
Provincial Status:
S4
SARA Status:
Special Concern
BC List Status:
Yellow (Not at risk of extinction)
RESOURCES
For further information see:
Scroll down to lower section of the DWC site to download the factsheet.
Although we revised geographic boundaries for some groups (A. r. rufa, A. r. olympica, and A. r. pacified), only the conservation status and management of A. r. olympica (previously 2 subspecies) in Canada may be affected. Our findings support the continued conservation efforts for the isolated and endangered lineages present in coastal California.
A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
Learn what species are at risk in your area, search by name, habitat type, regional district and forest district.
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