American Beaver

Castor canadensis

The American Beaver is a busy animal known for building dams and lodges in rivers and streams. They have big, flat tails and love to chew on wood to make their homes.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The American Beaver has a stocky body covered in thick, reddish-brown to dark brown fur, often lighter on its belly. It is easily recognized by its large, flat, paddle-like scaly tail and prominent, ever-growing orange incisor teeth.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCastoridaeGenusCastor

American Beaver

Interesting facts

Beaver dams are so big they can be seen from space, changing entire landscapes!

Beavers can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes, longer than many divers!

Their thick fur has over 12,000 hairs per square centimeter, keeping them perfectly dry!

They have special lips behind their front teeth, letting them chew wood underwater!

Special abilities

American Beavers can build complex dams and lodges using wood and mud that create new wetlands.

American Beavers have clear nictitating membranes and webbed feet that help them see and swim efficiently underwater.

American Beavers have strong jaw muscles and self-sharpening teeth to fell large trees for building and food.

Measurements & details

Length: 90-120 cm
Weight: 11-32 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Top Speed: 8 km/h
Litter Size: 2-4
Gestation: 105-107 days

Diet & Feeding

Beavers are vegetarians, primarily eating wood, bark, and aquatic plants.

Primary Foods

Tree bark
Twigs
Leaves
Roots
Aquatic plants

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

A primary food source for beavers.

eats

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Adult beavers and kits can be prey.

eats

Coyote

Canis latrans

Opportunistic predator of beavers.

shelters

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Uses beaver ponds for nesting.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Tool Use

Discover amazing animals that cleverly use objects from their environment to help them find food, build homes, or protect themselves. They're nature's clever inventors!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Endangered

These are amazing plants and animals that are very rare and face a high risk of disappearing forever. We need to help protect them so future generations can enjoy them too!