North American Beaver

North American Beaver Facts

• This highly distinctive creation of Nature and evolution most often goes by the informative common name of the North American Beaver. Yet, it also has other, equally telling titles. These include American beaver, Canadian beaver, and common beaver.
• Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Thankfully, that’s a relatively simple one for the layperson to pronouce, as such tags go. That’s because it holds the formal epithet Castor canadensis.
• The unusual mammal received that moniker due to the efforts of Heinrich Kuhl. The respected German zoologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy feat in 1820.
• This marvel represents one of only two extant species of beaver in the world. Confusion sometimes occurs, however, due to the existence of a distantly related rodent. That creature’s often called the “mountain beaver,” thus creating the confusion.
• It’s also the largest rodent on its continent, and competes with its relative in another region of the world for the status of third-largest on earth. The other grows slightly bigger on average, but individuals of this one have greater known maximum sizes.
• Fortunately, the North American Beaver appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state also seems to hold across its entire range. The IUCN therfore presently lists the animal as Least Concern.
• It nevertheless should be considered as facing several potential threats to its continued existence as a species. Like all forms of life on earth today, most of these stem from the actions of man. Chief among these stands habitat loss and climate change.

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North American Beaver Physical Description

The captivating North American Beaver typically garners a great deal of attention from those fortunate enough to encounter one in the wild. It does so for a variety of reasons, though. That’s true since it’s both visually impressive and of reasonably impressive stature.

Regarding its physical characteristics, however, it differs from a pattern common to most mammals. That’s due to the fact that it displays virtually no noticeable degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. The two genders thus appear virtually identical.

Mature adults of both sexes of this animal attain weights ranging from roughly 35 – 60 lb (16 – 27 kg). Exceptional specimens, though, occasionally exceed this significantly. These remarkable individuals sometimes attain masses totaling an amazing 90 lb (41 kg).

The length of the body itself also reaches eye-ctching proportions accordingly. Depending on the specimen, this usually ranges from 2.5 – 3 ft (0.75 – 0.9 m). It has short front limbs, with clawed hands, as well as longer hind limbs, equipped with webbed feet.

It also has relatively small eyes and ears, well adapted for life in and around water. These have a transparent third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, that provides protection and allows it to see underwater. The ears and nose also close tightly underwater.

The North American Beaver further has dense, waterproof fur that’s generally dark brown to reddish-brown in color. That’s composed of a soft, insulating undercoat and longer, coarse guard hairs. Long, sensitive whiskers also appear on the face of the animal.

Yet, it’s likely the aforementioned tail that most people consider its defining feature. This appendage evolved as broad, flat, and scaly. The short tail, though, adds a small amount to this. It usually measures about 10 – 18 in (25 – 45 cm) in length, and 6 in (15 cm) wide.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Rodentia
• Family: Castoridae
• Genus: Castor
• Species: C. canadensis

North American Beaver Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The remarkable North American Beaver evolved as native to a considerably large portion of the earth’s surface. Given its name, though, the location of that zone of habitation isn’t going to surprise anyone. It’s native to many portions of the continent of North America.

Across that greater area, it lives within the great majority of the landmass. To the north, it appears in all provinces and territories of Canada. From there, it lives throughout the contiguous United States, from coast to coast. Its range also extends into northern Mexico.

It displays a high degree of adaptability regarding its choice of habitat. It’s therefore found in a wide range of habitats across its extensive distribution. Its choices show a close link to the availability of water and suitable building materials for dam and lodge construction.

It lives in various freshwater environments, including rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. It thrives in areas with slow-moving or still water where it can easily build dams and lodges. Wetlands also form ideal habitats, due to the abundant water and vegetation.

The rodent also prefers areas near forests with supplies of trees and woody plants. It favors deciduous trees like willows, poplars, and birches, which it uses for food and building materials. But, it also appears in mixed forests, including deciduous and coniferous trees.

The areas adjacent to rivers and streams, known as riparian zones, naturally remain particularly important for the amazing animal. These areas both access to water and a variety of vegetation types, making them prime locations for dam-building and lodge construction.

The beautiful North American Beaver evolves as herbivorous nature. Throughout the warmer months of the year, its diet primarily consists of bark, leaves, and aquatic plants. In winter, however, the fabulous mammal mainly relies on food caches stored underwater.

It builds dams using sticks, mud, and rocks to create ponds. These ponds provide deep water where it builds its lodges and escapes from predators. It also makes these dome-shaped structures with the same materials, and with underwater entrances for protection.

The breeding season occurs in late winter, from January to March. Mating takes place in the water, and the pair often remains together throughout the year, maintaining their territory and raising the young. A typical litter consists of 1 – 6 kits, with the average being 3 – 4.

The intriguing creature takes such intricate precautions for its safety because it faces predation from a wide variety of foes. It commonly faces this from wolves, coyotes, bears, and large birds of prey. Younger individuals remain especially vulnerable in this regard.

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