American Beaver - Photos by Bruce Dayton - American Beaver (Castor canadensis)

ORDER: Rodentia (Rodents)
FAMILY: Castoridae (Beaver)
SPECIES: American Beaver (Castor canadensis)

American Beaver (Castor canadensis)
The American Beaver is a large semi-aquatic animal. - It is the largest North American rodent. - The only rodent larger than the American Beaver is the Capybara of South America. _ Beavers communicate in a variety of ways: postures, scent marking, vocalizations, and slapping the tail on water. - They are considered the best engineers among rodents (and many other animals). Also known as: Beaver, Canadian Beaver, North American Beaver -
SIZE	Length: Range: 60-110 cm (24 - 40 inches) Plus a tail up to 50 cm (20 inches) long. Weight: Range: 12-27 kg (30 - 60 lbs)
DESCRIPTION	The beaver coat is dark brown and comprises two types of hair, the outer section is coarse and long and covers an inner layer which is much finer. It has a round body, strong head, and webbed hind feet. The beaver has two cutting teeth that continue to grow throughout its life. These teeth are used to cut down trees. They use their a large flat paddle-shaped tail as a rudder in the water. The eyes are covered by a nictitating membrane which allows them to see underwater. Sexual Dimorphism: None
HOME	Beavers construct dams with mud, brush, stones, poles, vegetation, and other materials to create safe lodging and a provide themselves with a good food supply. The lodge is about 3 to 6 feet high and about 7 feet across, it has several entrances. The lodge has a living room that is above the water, where they sleep and a storage room under water, where food is kept.
BEHAVIOR	Beavers are mainly active at night. They live in colonies of four to eight family members. Beavers are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater for as long as 15 minutes without coming up for air.
FAMILY	Beavers have only one mate. Females have between 2 to 6 babies which are called kittens 0r kits. These kits are usually born in April or May. They are about 15 inches long and weigh ½ to 1½ pounds. The kittens stay with their parents until they are 2-3 years old. At this age they leave home to begin their own families.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE	The American Beaver is found throughout North America from Alaska, Canada south to the Rio Grande River and Northern Mexico.
HABITAT	They habitat, ponds, marshes, rivers, and wetlands.
PREDATORS	Predators
DIET	Their diet consists of twigs, bark and buds of such trees as Poplar, willow, birch, alder, and aspen, as well as aquatic vegetation and roots.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.


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American Beaver (Castor canadensis)

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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AmBeav-220_007243


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