1. Beavers (Castor Canadensis)

2. Contents Range Physical description Behavior Habitat Ecosystem Role Diet Reproduction Mortality

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

4. Physical Description Largest rodents Weight: 40-50 lbs Body (including tail): 48 inches in length Tail: 16-17 in. long, 6-7 in. wide, ¾ thick

5. Behavior Nocturnal Do not hibernate Territory marking

6. Habitat

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

8. Lodges Only used for safety Rest Give Birth Raise young

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

10. 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.

11. Life expectancy: about 10 -15 years

12. 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.

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