Beavers
Hidden in their homemade houses, watching the sun set over a beautiful lake, gnawing on a piece of wood… ring any bells? This calm creature is the North American Beaver! The North American Beaver is the largest rodent in North America, and the second largest rodent in the world, ranging 3 to 4 feet long and weighing 35 to 65 pounds. Their herbivore diet mainly consists of tree bark, roots, and aquatic plants. Similar to their diet, they often use plant materials to build their homes.
Beavers are known for their excellent engineering skills. These engineers are one of the only creatures who change their natural habitats by building dams in bodies of water, creating small ponds. These ponds provide habitats for small aquatic creatures. Their main homes are wooden, dome-like structures with entrances that are under the water. On the roof of the building there is a small air hole called a chimney. Their building technique consists of collecting branches, reeds, and saplings, and soon after building the structure, they pack mud in with their front paws. They use their front teeth called incisors, to gnaw through branches to later collect them. Gnawing on wood can also prevent their incisors from growing to large. If a beaver were to stop munching on wood their teeth could grow so long they would be unable to eat.
Beavers also have their own type of communication. When in distress, they hit their tails against the water to warn other members of their colony from possible threat. Their flat tail (similar to the end of a kayak oar) can make a loud echoing across waters. The shape and color of the tail can vary depending on family traits. Their tail also can be used as a four way rudder for diving and swimming up to six mph across waters, but when on land beavers move awkwardly and are more vulnerable to predators. Another purpose of their tails is to store fat, for when it becomes winter the fat in their tails can act as a fat reserve when food is unavailable. They also store castor and oil in their tail, but not the type they often sell. Castor is a thick and strong smelling liquid, used for the beavers to scent mark. The oil is for reproductive communication.
Beavers are wonderful creatures of the lake, and adjust the environment massively when it comes to helping homes for other creatures. For more information on beavers visit: