Beavers (Castor Canadensis)

Contents Range Physical description Behavior Habitat Ecosystem Role Diet Reproduction Mortality

Range Found throughout North America Except Florida, southern California, and southern Nevada.

Physical Description Largest rodents Weight: lbs Body (including tail): 48 inches in length Tail: in. long, 6-7 in. wide, ¾ thick

Behavior Nocturnal Do not hibernate Territory marking

Habitat

Dams Access to food supplies Protection from predators Provide underwater entrances to their den Build new dams during spring

Lodges Only used for safety Rest Give Birth Raise young

Ecosystem Role Maintain wetlands Slow down the flow of the floodwaters. Improve water quality Benefit other species’ habitat

Diet Herbivore In warm months: variety of aquatic plants During fall and winter, cambium layer of trees, which is the wood just under the bark.

Life expectancy: about years

Reproduction Breeding season: Jan – Feb Sexually mature at age 3 Give birth one litter of kits per year Gestation is about 4 months Both parents caring for the kits till they are 2 years old.

Mortality Humans Bears, wolves, lynx, and otters External Parasites: Platypsylla castoris Other causes of death: winter weather, winter starvation, and disease