What is the difference between a beaver and a mountain beaver?

Answer 1

Both live near and in water however a beaver is much larger than a muskrat. An adult beaver typically weighs between 40 and 60 pounds. An adult muskrat typically weighs only 2 to 5 pounds. While a beaver has a broad flat tail a muskrat has a thinner more ratlike tail. The muskrat tail actually has some flatness, but vertical like a boat rudder. Muskrats do not cut down trees. Muskrats and beaver are the only mammals that build their home in the water, but the muskrat lodge is smaller. They often dig dens into the bank; again the muskrat opening is smaller. Muskrats do not store food for the winter as beaver do and a harsh winter can greatly decrease a muskrat population. Muskrats are more prolific breeders capable of multiple litters in one season whereas beavers have one litter annually.

Answer 2

The Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa), is not actually a beaver. Like beavers, it is a rodent, but it is unlike any other rodent (the only species in the family Aplodontiidae).

[edited from the discussion page]

The beaver is the common animal you think of with a flattened tail, which builds beaver dams and gnaws down trees. Mountain beavers have no visible tail, burrow in the earth, are nocturnal, and are only found on the west coast of the U.S. Many subspecies of mountain beaver have sensitive status.

See the two related Wikipedia links for individual treatment of both genuses.

Answer 3

woodchucks are more prestigious, and have their own little tongue twister;

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

A woodchuck can chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would chuck wood.