Ingles (1960) observed mountain beavers which were held captive in 
an enclosure. He reported that the rodent can and does climb trees to 
a height of 20 feet from the ground. He wrote: 
"Climbing was accomplished by advancing one foreleg, then the 
opposite hind leg, in succession. The forefeet actually grasp 
the small branches and the hind feet are simply placed on then, 
Where branches are lacking, the animal applies the claws of 
both feet to the bark of the trunk in climbing. The smooth 
bark of the small white firs at the site of the colony shows 
unmistakable claw marks 12 feet from the ground ... Sometimes, 
after a twig was cut off, it was allowed to fall to the ground, 
but more often it was carried down in the animal's mouth as it 
descended the trunk head first. The descent was made more 
slowly than the ascent, as the branches, or their remaining 
stubs, were again utilized to the utmost as rungs of a ladder. 
The forefeet grasped them tightly as the hind feet extended 
around the trunk as far as possible to provide the brake." 
Tree Descending 
Scheffer (1929) stated that the animal leaves the stubs of branches 
attached to the trunk to facilitate its descent. Dalquest (1948) saw a 
mountain beaver that was several feet up in a sapling. He said that the 
animal had clipped the branches close to the trunk and was desperately 
reaching with its hind feet for the missing branches, When he came near 
the animal, it squealed, tumbled to the ground and scurried frantically 
to its burrow. Harry D. Hartwell (personal communication) saw mountain 
beaver repeatedly drop from heights of four feet in the enclosures at 
the Olympia Forest Research Center. 
Swimming 
Anthony (1916) said that the mountain beaver swims well and rapidly, 
showing no fear of water. Ingles (1947) wrote that the animal is a fine 
swimmer, and is often mistaken for a muskrat when seen in mountain streams. 
He thought that the mountain beaver swims from choice. Dalquest (1948) 
stated that the animal enters the water rapidly with much noise, He 
said it wades rather than swims. 
Drinking 
The mountain beaver drinks a considerable amount of water. Brooks 
(1899) wrote that its burrows always lead to water. Anthony (1916) said 
that a captive mountain beaver drank large amounts of water when it was 
given to him, 
Voice 
The mountain beaver has been credited with a real voice. Suckley 
and Gibbs (1860) wrote of a man who heard mountain beaver, early in the 
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