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The length of time the cuttings were left to dry depended upon the species, the weather, and the location of the pile. Specimens of Sambucus were not dry after five days. On August 25, four out of twenty-seven cuttings of Smilacina marked on August 21, and five out of twenty-one stems marked on August 22 were still present revealing the length of time some cuttings were left to dry. Dicentra and Valeriana stems were usually removed the next day after they were counted and marked; these have thinner leaves. In locations situated in the dense shrubbery, the drying of the material took twice as long as in open situations. On cloudy or rainy days, the vegetation scarcely wilted, and therefore, remained piled for a longer period.

At the Munson Ridge location the mountain beaver harvested its material as soon as it became completely dried, while the individual at the Vidae Falls site allowed the material to stay out until it became so dry that it was brittle.

In captivity the mountain beaver consumed 497 plants from August 30 to September 5. This count was taken in the number of plants eaten, therefore, indicates a greater amount of food than the number applies when compared with the number of stems counted in the field survey. Twenty-one species of vegetation are represented. See Table III. This range could be greatly increased by more intensive experimenting.

Although the mountain beaver is considered to be quite stupid and primitive, from these food studies, it can be assumed that he is quite a diligent and systematic worker.

Table II – Vegetation identified in piles stacked by mountain beavers in all of the locations noted in Crater Lake National Park.

Table III – Plants, in addition to those found in Table II, which were eaten by the mountain beaver in captivity.