Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

Their teeth are coated with a hard, yellowish red enamel to provide a hard, sharp edge on the front surface to prevent wear.
A pair of beavers can gnaw through a 4 inch thick branch in 15 minutes.

Beaver

Scientific Name;	Castor canadensis
Classification:	Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Castoridae
Status:	Stable
Habitat:	Streams and lakes
Range:	North America and Europe
Diet:	Bark
Size:	Height: 12-24 inches Length: 24-32 inches with a tail 10-18 inches long Weight: 25-65 pounds
Lifespan:	15-21 years
Location:
Print Fact Sheet	Beaver

Special Features:

Beavers can gnaw under water because the lips close behind the front teeth and the back of the tongue seals the throat.
The large scaly tail is flattened and can be used for propulsion or as a rudder.
They warn each other by slapping their tails on the water.
Hind feet are large and webbed for swimming.
The nose and ears close when diving and a special membrane protects the eyes.
Within the dam the beaver constructs a lodge with various underwater entrance tunnels.
An underwater store of branches is kept near the lodge as a winter food supply.

Social Structure & Behavior:

Reproduction:
Sexual maturity is 3 years. Beaver's mate for life. Mating occurs in January-February. Gestation is 105 days resulting in up to 8 kits. Kits have full coats of fur and are able to swim within hours of birth. Although weaned at 6 weeks, kits may stay in the lodge for 2 years.