Beaver Animal Information
North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) - A.K.A. Beaver. No other animal has played such an important role in the expansion of North America than the beaver. It spawned legendary trappers such as Kit Carson and Jim Bridger. They began blazing trails and opening up vast territories for new settlement, motivated by the pursuit of this animal’s valuable fur. The beaver’s fur consists of two different types of hair. The short and silky gray hair is found close to the skin. The coarser, reddish-brown hair covers the silky undercoat. The North American beaver is a large semi-aquatic rodent. They are most active at night. Beavers have a keen sense of hearing, smell and touch. However, they have poor eyesight above water. When startled a beaver will slap its tail on the water’s surface before diving. The sound produced echoes over great distances, warning other beavers of nearby danger. The beaver builds dams and lives in a house constructed as protection from other predators. Inside the house there are two dens used for rearing, living, and food storage. The North American beaver averages 3 to 4 feet, including the tail. Their average weight is 45 to 60 pounds, but they have been recorded weighing 110 pounds.
