Description
The beaver is the largest rodent in North America. A full grown
adult beaver can weigh up to 60 pounds and can measure as long as 4 feet. A beaver’s tail is flat (about 30cm long) and covered with scales. Its tail has important uses both in the water and on land. In the water the beaver uses its tail like a paddle to steer when swimming. On land, the beaver uses its tail to balance when sitting or standing upright. It has small, rounded ears and small dark eyes, which are protected by thin clear covers while it swims underwater. It also has valves which close the nostrils, ears and throat to water. The beaver’s front feet have sharp claws which it uses for digging up mud and stones. With its back feet the beaver spreads waterproofing oil called castoreum on its fur.
Habitat
The beaver can be found throughout most of Canada and all of British Columbia near wooded streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. The beaver builds a home or lodge out of mud and branches. The lodge has one or more underwater entrances that make it difficult for most predators to enter. Some beavers live in burrows that they build on river banks.
Diet
Beavers are herbivores (vegetarians/ plant-eaters) that eat bark from hardwood trees such as birch, aspen, willow, cottonwood, and alder. They will also eat leaves, roots, twigs, grasses, buds, and water plants of all kinds.
Fur Qualities
Beaver fur is a soft luxurious coat that keeps the animal comfortable in all temperatures, on land, and in water. Their fur has two layers. The outer layer consists of coarse, long, glossy guard hairs. The under fur consists of dense, short, fine hairs that together with an oily material provide the waterproof barrier that keeps the beaver’s skin dry in the water. During the fur trade beaver pelts were used chiefly to make felt hats which were a very popular fashion in Europe. There were two types of pelts: “castor gras” and “castor sec.” Pelts labeled “castor gras” were more processed by the First Nations people before they were traded. They were sewn together and worn with the fur next to the body for 12 to 18 months. Wearing the fur next to the skin loosened the outer guard hairs and mixed with sweat, left a thick, pliable, well greased pelt. These furs were seen as the most valuable as they could be processed into felt and fur products much quicker. “Castor sec” pelts were stretched, dried, and sold immediately. These furs still had the guard hairs attached and lacked the thick rich quality of “castor gras”.
Definitions
Burrow = burrows are holes in the ground that are made by animals for shelter.
Pliable= pliable objects can be bent over and over again without breaking.
