The beaver is the largest North American rodent. Most adults weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, with some reaching 70 to 100 pounds. The beaver is a stocky rodent adapted for aquatic environments. A beaver has a nose and ears that seal out water. It may remain submerged for up to 15 minutes. Its lips close behind the four large incisor teeth so it can eat underwater. All four feet have five toes. The hind feet are webbed between the toes for swimming. A split second claw on each hind foot is used for combing through their fur. The front feet are small in comparison to the hind feet.

Beaver fur has long shiny guard hairs that repel water. The fur has dense, soft underfur that provides warmth. Beavers range in color from yellowish brown to black, with reddish brown the most common color.

Beavers have broad, flat tails. The tail is almost hairless. It is used as a prop while the beaver is sitting upright and for a rudder when swimming. Beavers also use their tail to warn others of danger by slapping the surface of the water. Beaver store fat in their tail for winter survival.

The beaver's large front (incisor) teeth are bright orange on the front and grow continuously throughout their life. These teeth are beveled so that they are continuously sharpened as the beaver gnaws and chews while feeding, girdling, and cutting trees.

Habitat

Beavers can live anywhere there is a year-round source of water. Beavers build dams to change their environment more to their liking. Besides humans, only beaver create their own habitat by building dams. Beavers use what-ever materials are available to build dams. This includes trees, woody bushes, fencing materials, bridge planking, rocks, wire, corn stalks, etc.

Food

Beavers are herbivores. They eat mostly woody plants. They may eat aspen, cottonwood, willow, sweetgum, black gum, black cherry, poplar and pine. Sometimes they eat crops like corn and soybeans. They also eat aquatic plants.

Habits

Beavers are very social animals. They live in families or extended family units called colonies. Colonies are made up of adults, yearlings (beaver born the previous year) and this year's young. Young beavers are called kits. Beavers will have 2 to 4 kits each year. Colonies range from 4 to 10 animals. Beavers are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night.

North American Range