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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of beavers' dams?
What is unique about beavers' front teeth?
What is a common misconception about beavers?
What is the average lifespan of a beaver?
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Why do beavers dig canals?
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What is a benefit of beavers' ponds to other animals?
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Why were beavers historically hunted?
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What is a characteristic of beavers' tails?
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What is a common location for beavers' lodges?
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How long can beavers stay underwater?
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Study Notes
Physical Characteristics
- Beavers are semi-aquatic mammals and are the largest rodents in North America and the second largest in the world.
- They have broad, flat tails and powerful front teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives.
- Beavers can weigh over 50lbs (25 kg) and live up to 24 years.
Diet and Eating Habits
- Beavers do not eat wood, but instead eat leaves, twigs, and the inner bark of deciduous trees, as well as shrubs, aquatic plants, and grasses.
Behavior and Abilities
- Beavers are nocturnal, being active mostly at night, and are slow on land due to poor eyesight.
- They are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes.
- Beavers have good hearing and a keen sense of smell.
Habitat and Dams
- Beavers construct dams using wood, mud, and stones to create ponds that protect them from predators.
- They often build lodges out in the middle of their ponds, which serve as a place to rest and keep warm.
- By cutting down trees and building dams, beavers change the face of the land around them and create habitats for many other plants and animals.
Conservation Status
- Historically, beavers were hunted for their fur, leading to a significant decline in populations.
- Today, conservationists recognize the beaver's important role in creating healthy habitats and work to protect them.
- Beavers have been reintroduced to some of the places they were lost, and in many places they are now thriving.
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Description
Learn about beavers, the largest rodents in North America, their habitat, physical characteristics, and behaviors.
