BEAVERS
Mammal     -     Vertebrate      -     Herbivore
Picture
BEAVER DAM
Picture
DAM AND LODGE
Male:  Beaver
Female:  Beaver
Young:  Kit (newborn to 1 year: Yearling (2nd year)

BEAVERS
  • Are rodents.
  • Are nocturnal.
  • Feed on a variety of aquatic and shore plants, buds and roots and surviving in winter by eating bark . 
  • Live in ponds, lakes, rivers and marshes in North America, parts of Europe and Asia . 
  • Create dams in rivers and streams which provide them with still, safe water in which to build its lodge.
  • The family will live inside the lodge in the centre of the still pool of water.
  • Lodges are made of branches and mud and hard enough for predators not to penetrate them.
  • Have poor eyesight, but a strong sense of smell and good hearing.
  • Have transparent eyelids so that they can see underwater with their eyes shut.
  • Have sharp teeth which continue to grow throughout their life.
  • Must gnaw on objects to keep their teeth at a manageable length or their teeth would eventually grow into their brain.
  • Can hold its breath underwater for 45 minutes.
  • The biggest dam built by beavers is twice as long as the Hoover Dam.
​