American beaver Castor canadensis Beavers are found in streams, rivers, marshes and small lakes throughout most of North America, Northern Mexico and western Canada. Their fur is long and coarse on the outside while the inner hairs are short and fine. Beaver fur was in constant demand for robes, coats, clothing trim and top hats (called beavers). This skull belongs to an aquatic herbivore, the American Beaver (Castor canadensis).The large incisors are adaptations for gnawing through wood. An adult North American beaver has an average body weight of 40–50 pounds (about 18–23 kilograms). The beaver colonies create one or more dams in the beaver colonies’ habitat to provide still, deep water to protect the beavers against predators. Usually within the main pond somewhere there will be a beaver lodge. Ideal habitat basically consists of a reliable water source with lots of aspen trees. In fact, the beaver uses its unique adaptations to create a little safe haven. Beaver bodies have several adaptations that help them swim, eat, and build their homes called dams. In 1988 the North American beaver population was 60-400 million. Compile beaver dress up materi-als. By Gary Beeler. They keep their teeth worn down by chewing on wood and other objects. North America’s largest rodent, the North American beaver (Castor canadensis), also called the Canadian Beaver, American Beaver or simply beaver, exhibits a wide range of physical adaptations to its largely aquatic lifestyle.The heavily muscled body is shaped more like a marine mammal than like other terrestrial mammals, while the hind-feet are webbed for swimming. ... Map of Ranges for American Beaver (Blue and Red) and Eurasian Beaver (Green and Orange) Beaver Adaptations. American beaver kits can swim 24 hours after birth. Adult beaver can walk upright in a bipedal fashion (par tially supported by the tail) while carrying mud or sticks held against the chest with their chin and front legs. One of the most impressive behavioral... See full answer below. Its tail is flat and paddle-shaped and can measure up to 14 inches long. Beavers have adapted to live well on land and water. They also eat roots, grasses and aquatic plants, and in captivity they even eat leafy greens and mixed vegetables. Interesting Fact 2. Following local extinction because of beaver trapping during the 1800's, conservation has allowed their populations to increase. The body including the tail measures about 48 inches in length. The American beaver (Castor canadensis) is among the largest rodents and occurs in and around lakes, ponds, and streams throughout North America, from coast to coast, except in the Arctic tundra and southern deserts.They are important landscape engineers, cutting down trees of all species to build elaborated dam systems, up to 3 m high and containing water over impressive flooded areas. Add text, web link, video & audio hotspots on top of your image and 360 content. The beaver has webbed hind feet and a large, flat, nearly hairless tail. climate): List the adaptations of the North American Beaver in its environment. Top Answer. Beaver Geography. Think about the adaptations, such as size, behavior, and coloration, that help this animal survive in its environment. 3 4 5. They are also found in Argentina, Russia and Finland. Case Study: American and Eurasian Beaver Study in Adaptations and Possible Expansions. Photo by Dusan Smetana . North American beavers inhabit most of the continent, excluding Mexico and coastal regions of Florida and California. These teeth grow continuously through the life of the animal and are worn down through everyday use. North America’s largest rodent, the Canadian Beaver (Castor canadensis), better known as the North American beaver, exhibits a wide range of physical adaptations to its largely aquatic lifestyle.The heavily muscled body is shaped more like a marine mammal than like other terrestrial mammals, while the hind-feet are webbed for swimming. A beaver’s body measures approximately 29-35 inches and weigh between 25-70 pounds. In its introduced range, the damming activity of the beaver can cause flooding which can damage forests. Place beaver dress up props in a pile, and have students sit in a Coat colours vary from dark brown to a reddish brown; some even have yellowish or black fur. Once a pair of beavers find an ideal location, they will create a dam (Which is made up of sticks, mud, and rocks). If you do not have access to a beaver skull and/or skin, print photos (Attachment A) to show to students. The beaver is North America's largest rodent and is built for life in the water. What are three behavioral adaptations of a beaver? North American Beaver. It will also slap its tail against the water to signal danger or to warn away predators. Anything plant-based is potential beaver food. It uses its tail to help maintain its balance when it is gnawing on trees. The American Beaver is most noticeable due to the large, flat, paddle like tail. North American Beaver Information. Wiki User Answered . Castor canadensis (beaver) is native to North America, and has been introduced to Tierra del Fuego in southern South America, Finland, France, Poland and Russia in recent times. 2013-02-05 21:42:46 2013-02-05 21:42:46. Asked by Wiki User. They have big, sharp teeth that help them gnaw, or chew, logs and branches. Adults can be up to four feet long and weigh over 60 pounds. View the interactive image by Janetmacneil. Unlike the American and Eurasian beavers (genus Castor), the mountain beaver has an extremely short tail and is less than a half metre (1.6 feet) in length; weight is less than This beaver lodge is located away from shore and has an underwater entrance. They are aquatic rodents and have a number of adaptations that make them adept swimmers including webbed feet and a broad, flat tail that is covered with scales. Adaptations - Dams and Lodges. Species: North American beaver and European beaver Habitat: Freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers and streams near woodland areas Length: 3 to 4 feet Weight: 35 to 60 pounds Colour: Dark brown fur Speed: Beavers can swim at speeds of up to 5 miles per hour Behaviour: Nocturnal Collective Noun: Colony Offspring: Young beavers are called kits Lifespan: 16 to 24 years in the wild The North American Beaver is the largest rodent in all of North America. The behavioral adaptations of the beaver are building dams, tail slapping, and shared parental care. Scattered throughout other parts of Europe and Asia is the Eurasian beaver - a very close relative of the North American beaver. In the boreal forest there is a lot of snow so animals will need to have long thin legs to get though the snow and thick fur coats to stay warm during the colder months. With the help of over 7,000 of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, Arkive.org featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. They have a wide variance in terms of size. Webbed feet and scaly tail help with swimming abilities . Diet - The beaver eats water plants and the cambium (the soft tissue in which new wood and bark grow) of hardwood trees. Answer. American beavers are stocky animals that have a compact body and short legs. Description . They have dark-brown waterproof fur and webbed feet. These clever engineering animals eat the bark right off trees they fell for building dams and lodges, along with twigs, buds and leaves. Second only to humans, beavers alter their environment more than any other organism on the planet. At up to 60 pounds, they are the largest rodents in their range. The American beaver is the largest rodent in North America and the second-largest in the world, behind only the South American capybara. Then beaver can build a lodge. Wildscreen's Arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world's biggest encyclopaedia of life on Earth. Most distinctive for the beaver, the tail is flat and scaly and performs a variety of functions. Study the beaver dress up teach-ers pages 5-8 in order to familiar-ize yourself with the props and the adaptations they represent. Their rudder-like tail and webbed feel propel them through the water at 5 mph (8 kph). Mountain beaver, (Aplodontia rufa), a muskrat-sized burrowing rodent found only in the Pacific Northwest of North America. American beavers have two large incisors in their mouths that never stop growing throughout their entire life. The beavers also use the deep water created using beaver dams and to float food and building materials along the river. A North American beaver is a large semi-aquatic rodent. Once abundant beyond measure, it was the beaver and its valuable fur—used to make top hats in Europe—that first attracted explorers to the American West. North American Beaver Facts and Information Castor canadensis Introduction. American beavers are superbly designed for life in and near the water. Student Worksheet: TEAM North American Beaver Location of diorama: Date/Time in the diorama: Environmental Conditions (e.g. This chapter provides an overview of the beaver's form, weight, and special adaptations. In water, they swim by alternate kicks of the hind legs, appearing graceful and efficient, though slow Castor canadensis. Beavers have bodies that are made for the water. Presently they are widely distributed through North America north of Mexico, excluding Florida, southern California, and southern Nevada. The American beaver is the largest rodent in the United States, growing from two to three feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) long, not including the tail. Beaver move with an awkward waddle on land, but can gallop if frightened. Beaver teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and beavers must gnaw on trees to keep their teeth from getting too long. This feels like it scaly and is a fat storage mechanism. They have a large, flat, paddle-shaped tail and large, webbed hind feet that help with swimming. Beaver fur was fashionable in European capitals, and some of America's great financial empires and real estate holdings were founded on the profits of beaver fur. 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