Key characteristics of the American beaver include:
1. Physical Description:
- Size: Beavers are large rodents with adults measuring 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) in length, excluding the tail. Their weight ranges from 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27 kilograms).
- Fur: They have thick, waterproof, and dense fur that keeps them warm in cold water and temperatures. The fur color can vary from light brown to dark reddish-brown.
- Tail: Beavers have a flattened and slightly oval tail that is covered in scales. The tail is about 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) long and serves as a tool to slap the water during their danger alert behavior.
- Large Incisor Teeth: Beavers are known for their prominent orange-colored incisor teeth. These teeth continuously grow and are used for cutting trees and other plant materials.
2. Habitat:
- Beavers are semi-aquatic and prefer areas with water bodies such as rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds. They construct dams and build lodges or burrows near the water's edge.
- Dams: One of the remarkable traits of beavers is their ability to build dams using logs, branches, mud, and rocks. These dams help create and maintain ponds or raise the water level in their habitat.
3. Diet:
- Beavers are herbivores and primarily consume the bark, twigs, and leaves of hardwood trees such as aspen, cottonwood, willow, and birch. They also feed on aquatic plants and grasses.
4. Family Structure:
- Beavers live in family groups called "colonies," consisting of a monogamous breeding pair and their offspring from multiple years. The colony typically includes 4 to 8 individuals.
- Beavers mate during the winter, and the female gives birth to kits (baby beavers) in the spring. The kits stay with their parents until they are about 2 years old when they disperse to establish their own territories.
5. Importance in Ecosystems:
- The dam-building behavior of beavers has significant ecological impacts. Their ponds create wetlands that provide habitat for various plant and animal species, including fish, frogs, birds, and other wildlife.
- Beaver dams also help prevent erosion, improve water quality, store groundwater, and provide flood control.
The American beaver plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining ecosystems in North America, making it an ecologically important species.