Beaver

scientific name

Castor canadensis

size

Body. 28"
Tail. 12" long " 4½" wide
Weight. 35-60 lbs.
among largest rodents

characteristics

Front Feet. unwebbed " strong digging claws
Front Teeth. special flap of skin behind front teeth allows gnawing bark underwater without getting mouth full of water & wood chips " front incisors never stop growing - worn down with use
Fur. keeps beaver warm & dry (undercoat traps layer of air to insulate skin) even in cold water
Hind Feet. webbed " help swim 5 mph
Nostrils/Ears. valves stop water from entering
Tail. scaly " broad " used as rudder & to make warning sounds by slapping water

behavior

diurnal " become nocturnal with human encroachment " does not hibernate

Dam. branches, grass, & mud " creates deep water needed for protection " main lodge 6-10' diameter " said to cause floods but (on other hand) help control runoff, aid in checking erosion, & aid in maintaining suitable water table for fish & waterfowl
Enemies. bears, wolves, fishers, otters, & lynx
Lives in Colony. 4-8 related beavers
Winter Food. collects & anchors supply green branches underwater in fall

reproduction/life span

Life span. 13-20 yrs.
Gestation. 3 mos.
Litter. 2-4 " born spring usually " swim within 1 day " leaves parents 2 yrs.

diet

Herbivore
Wild. leaves, juicy green inner layer of bark (cambium layer), roots, water plants, herbs, & algae " does not eat wood
Zoo. rat chow, monkey chow, carrots, apples, broccoli, & browse

habitat/range

streams, rivers, marshes, & small lakes " Canada & us

status

stable to increasing in what remains of suitable habitat " threats are civilization, habitat destruction, water pollution, & hydro-electric dam construction " regulated by ODFW

other

largest in North America " "engineer" of animal kingdom " can fell 8' tree in 5 min " probably contributed more to development us & Canada than any other animal " hide's value motivated trappers to move farther & farther west " trappers followed by settlers " pelt used as currency in colonial times

oregon zoo exhibit

Cascades