Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of beavers' dams?
What is the primary purpose of beavers' dams?
What is unique about beavers' front teeth?
What is unique about beavers' front teeth?
What is a common misconception about beavers?
What is a common misconception about beavers?
What is the average lifespan of a beaver?
What is the average lifespan of a beaver?
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Why do beavers dig canals?
Why do beavers dig canals?
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What is a benefit of beavers' ponds to other animals?
What is a benefit of beavers' ponds to other animals?
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Why were beavers historically hunted?
Why were beavers historically hunted?
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What is a characteristic of beavers' tails?
What is a characteristic of beavers' tails?
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What is a common location for beavers' lodges?
What is a common location for beavers' lodges?
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How long can beavers stay underwater?
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.
