American Beaver
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Mammals
- Dietary Niche: Herbivore (Tree bark, cambium, aquatic plants)
- Max Speed: 8 km/h (5 mph) swimming
- Adult Weight: 11 - 32 kg (24 - 70 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 10 - 15 years
- Primary Habitat: Lakes, ponds, wetland streams, marshy rivers
- Native Region: North America
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Castoridae |
| Genus | Castor |
| Species Binomial | Castor canadensis |
📖 1. Species Overview
The American Beaver is a large, semi-aquatic rodent. Regarded as a keystone species, it modifies ecosystems by building dams that create rich, biodiverse wetland habitats.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Possesses a broad, flat scaly tail, webbed hind feet, waterproof brown fur, and orange, iron-reinforced front teeth that grow continuously.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Dams are engineered from branches, mud, and logs. They live in family groups inside dome-shaped mud lodges with underwater entrances.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Feed on wood inner bark and leaves. They fell trees by gnawing through trunks with their sharp teeth.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Monogamous pairs mate for life. Gestation is 105 days. Litters of 2-6 kits are born in spring, swimming within 24 hours.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Least Concern. Once heavily trapped for fur, they have recovered successfully but face conflicts with human developments.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Beavers use their flat tails to slap the water surface, warning family members of nearby danger.
- Their teeth are orange because they contain iron, which makes them strong enough to cut down hardwood trees.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the American Beaver.
The American Beaver is scientifically classified as Castor canadensis. It belongs to the genus Castor within the family Castoridae, class Mammalia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, American Beavers inhabit Lakes, ponds, wetland streams, marshy rivers. Their native geographic range primarily spans North America.
The American Beaver is classified as a Herbivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Lakes, ponds, wetland streams, marshy rivers.
A American Beaver can achieve top speeds of 8 km/h (5 mph) swimming and weighs approximately 11 - 32 kg (24 - 70 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 10 - 15 years.
The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "American Beaver (Castor canadensis) Species Profile."
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