Species MammalsNorth American Beaver

North American Beaver

Castor canadensis

UncommonMammal
Illustration of North American Beaver (Castor canadensis)
Safety note: Do not approach beavers — they bite when threatened.

The North American Beaver is the largest rodent in North America and a legendary ecosystem engineer. Dams reshape entire watersheds, creating wetland habitat used by hundreds of other species.

Habitat
Wooded streams, rivers, ponds, and lake margins
Diet
Bark, twigs, and aquatic vegetation — especially aspen and willow
How common
Uncommon

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