American Beaver

Castor canadensis

American Beavers construct valuable wildlife habitats. They dam streams, creating ponds that support fish, frogs, turtles, waterfowl, muskrats, Minks, otters, and Moose. Trees drowned by the rising water provide nest sites for woodpeckers, tree swallows, Ospreys, and herons. Over time the ponds fill in with sediment and become wet meadows for deer, Elk, rabbits, and voles.

Look For : A large reddish-brown rodent with a black paddle-shaped tail. Best seen on summer evenings around its lodge or dam or on the shore. Makes a big V on the water when it swims.

Length : Body 24-36" long, tail 12-18" long; 44-60 lb.

Habitat : Forested wetlands, ponds, marshes, rivers, and streams.

Range : Most of Canada and U.S., except for most of Florida, much of Nevada, and southern California.