beaver Castor Canadensis
Order Rodentia Rodents
- Animals with 2 upper & 2 lower incisors and no canines
- Of all mammals, has the most number of worldwide species
Family Castoridae Beavers (1 family member in North America)
Have adaptations for semi-aquatic lifestyle including: large size, underfur covered by outer long guard hairs for insulation, webbed hind feet for swimming, small eyes with outer membrane covering, valve openings to ears & nostrils, can open mouths while underwater without taking water into the lungs.
Largest rodent in North America, weighing up to 74 lbs
Herbivores; eat plant leaves and inner bark.
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- Photo provided Fresh beaver activity is visible on this young cottonwood. It’s one of the many sights you may encounter if you take a walk along the river during the transition season from late winter to early spring.
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- beaver dam
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- Photo by Susan Ballinger. Beaver prints on the river bank. Compare with the human boot and drawing of a set of beaver prints.
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- Beaver family display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York
