BEAVERS IN N.Y. BY JAKE SCHLEM

N.Y. STATE BEAVER The beaver is the official animal of the state of N.Y. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents and are native to north America and Europe. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Castoridae Genus:Castor

General facts about beavers Beavers are best known for their natural trait of building dams in rivers and streams and building their homes (known as beaver lodges) in the eventual pond, They are the second-largest rodent in the world (after the capybara. Beavers continue to grow throughout life. Adult specimens weighing over 25 kg (55 lb) are not uncommon. Females are as large as or larger than males of the same age, which is uncommon among mammals.

SPECIES OF BEAVERS IN N.Y. European Beaver The European Beaver (Castor fiber) is an endangered aquatic mammal which was hunted almost to extinction in Europe, both for fur and for Castoreum, a secretion of its scent gland believed to have medicinal properties.[1] However, this beaver is now being re-introduced throughout Europe. Several thousand live on the Elbe, the Rhone, the Danube and in parts of Scandinavia. They have been reintroduced in Bavaria and The Netherlands and are tending to spread to new locations.[2] The beaver became extinct in Britain in the sixteenth century, but a new population of wild beavers have been confirmed in Scotland in recent months [1]. Also six European Beavers have been released into a lakeside area in Gloucestershire and allowed to roam wild.[3]

Habitats Beavers are found all throughout New York where there are rivers, streams, lakes, and small ponds. They are very common to be seen crossing streets, houses, schools, buildings ect ......... Anywhere by water.

Beavers live by building dams using trees, branches, sticks, or any wood they find. They then connect the wood together providing housing and shelter.

It is not uncommon to see beavers eating insects and even small fish It is not uncommon to see beavers eating insects and even small fish. Although uncommon you may come across a beaver eating meat.

Behavior Beavers live in family groups or colonies. A colony is made up of a breeding male and female beaver and their offspring. Beavers are very territorial and will protect their lodges from other beavers. They mark their territory by building piles of mud and marking it with scent.

FOOD Beavers mainly rely on the wood they use for dam building also as food, wood is the main food part of their diet. Wood is very healthy and relieves pressure on the gums and teeth of the beaver.

LIFE CYCLE Beavers mate for life, but if one mate dies, the other one will find another mate. Beavers mate when they are about three years old. Mating season runs from January and March in cold regions in late November or December in the south. Beavers can live up to 20 years.

Beavers live in family groups or colonies Beavers live in family groups or colonies. A colony is made up of a breeding male and female beaver and their offspring. Beavers are very territorial and will protect their lodges from other beavers. They mark their territory by building piles of mud and marking it with scent

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