Did you know that April 5th is International Beaver Day? While we’re far from springtime now, that doesn’t mean we can’t explore and celebrate what makes the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) unique.
Many of us may think we know all there is when it comes to the elusive, semi-aquatic rodent. They chew trees, build dams, and are certainly excellent swimmers. What more could there be to it?
Let’s explore some facts you may have not known about the North American beaver.
Beavers have orange teeth due to iron
Beavers have long incisors with a very distinctive orange colour. They get this colouration from an iron-rich protective coating of enamel. Did you know their teeth also never stop growing? This is why beavers have to chew wood daily to prevent them from getting too long. The softer dentine (or the body tissue that forms the teeth) actually wears away faster than the enamel coating, making their teeth wear down unevenly. However, this gives the teeth a chiseled shape that helps them cut through wood.
Beavers are one of the only animals that modify their habitats
As we all know, beavers build dams made of woven sticks, reeds, branches, and saplings all caulked together with mud and rocks. These dams form slow-moving ponds, reducing stream erosion that provides new habitats for small fish and other water-based wildlife. Do you know what other animals modify their habitats? Humans!
Beavers don’t live in dams – they live in lodges
Contrary to popular belief, beavers don’t live in dams. Instead, they live in dome-like structures called lodges. Lodges are typically constructed away from the shore, forming small islands that can only be accessed through multiple underwater entrances. They have living quarters located above the waterline and can house a family of beavers.
Beavers will signal when danger is nearby
Beaver tails aren’t just used for function and balance, they also use their tails to signal when danger is nearby. When a potential threat is nearby, beavers will slap their tails hard against the water. The alarm signals to others that they need to seek refuge. As well, beavers communicate using scents, vocalizations, and posturing.
Beavers don’t only eat wood
While it is true that beavers sometimes snack on tree bark or the softer layers of wood underneath, they are also herbivores with an expansive diet. They also eat leaves, woody stems, and aquatic plants. Some of their favourite foods also include poplar, willow, aspen, birch, and maple. The best part? These are also their primary building materials.
Beavers are also known for storing branches inside their lodges to eat during the winter. The cool water helps keep the sticks fresh by acting just like a refrigerator. Perhaps cooler yet, beavers are very dexterous and eat their food by holding it in their front paws.
Beavers can hold their breath underwater for 6-8 minutes
Beavers have large lungs that allow them to stay submerged for an extended period of time. Though their movement is pretty awkward on land, their webbed hind feet and flat tail work like a rudder to propel them through the water. They can swim up to 6 miles per hour.