What American Critter is Described Here?

[mawnansmiff]

Just browsing through my latest book purchase and I came across a chapter on 'Nova Albion' which after a Google search I see is/was on the coast of California.

Aside from other interesting facts, I came across this description of an unknown & un-named creature (possibly a rodent) and wondered what it might be. BTW, I had to look up 'want', apparently another name for a mole!

"Here is a Hare resembling a Want in his feet, and a Cat in his taile; under whose chin Nature hath fastened a little bag, which she hath also taught him to use as a store-house; for in this having filled his belly, he preserveth the remnant of his provision".

Sounds vaguely like a hamster though I suspect it's something bigger if compared to a hare, so what could it be?

Regards,

Jay.

 

[MattRVA]

Chipmunk?

 

[shanez]

Possibly a kangaroo rat. Second guess is some sort of squirrel.

 

[shanez]

Actually I'll guess squirrel first.

 

[verporchting]

Otter?

 

[Servant King]

...under whose chin Nature hath fastened a little bag...

 

[ashdigger]

A politician.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Jackalope!!

 

[mawnansmiff]

Perhaps one of those gophers I've heard about but never seen? The US has a whole load of small critters that could possibly fit the bill, though how many can store food in a pouch?

I have to wonder how a person reading this over here for the first time could visualise a creature that looks a cross twixt a hare/cat/mole with a bag fastened under his chin .

Regards,

Jay.

 

[prairiedruid]

Another vote for chipmunk.

 

[captainsousie]

Tail of a cat? Going for squirrel myself.

 

[shanez]

The problem with gophers and chipmunks is that they don't have much of a tail.

I thought of maybe a gerbil but they're not native to the area that I can find.

The reference to a Want (mole/vole) would, to me, indicate noticeable claws on it's little feet.

I think we can safely disregard the term hare as it was very often misapplied given the time period. Perhaps it could be considered to mean relatively large ears in this context.

This leaves some type of squirrel as the prime candidate in my mind.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Chinchilla outside of its natural habitat.

Possibly raccoon.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Do they have polecats or weasels out that way?

Regards the tail, if whatever it was had a thick/bushy tail, perhaps the writer was thinking of a cat's tail when annoyed....they somehow fluff their tails up if I recall.

Just a thought.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[weezell]

some sort of squirrel.

Sounds like it to me...

 

[niblicck]

A Nutria!

 

[mso489]

I'd guess it could be any rodent, but it isn't a sack beneath their chins, it's actually their cheeks, although they sag below their chins when full. Hamsters show this off because they're small, although they're not native to North America, but most rodents have the cheek pouches, I think. Hamsters can store seeds disproportionate to their size.

 

[bullet08]

Killer rabbit. Run away!!!

 

[AJL67]

A lot of birds have those pouches but squirrels don’t. Probably what Nib posted but having the answer too soon is no fun so i refuse to look!

 

[bullet08]

https://flic.kr/p/2nRAfJB
A man looking thing with 7 arms and 2 legs.

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