Castoridae - beavers

There are two species in this family, the American beaver and the Eurasian beaver. Beavers spend a lot of time in the water and have many adaptations that help them thrive in an aquatic environment. They have thick, waterproof fur and webbed hind feet that it uses to propel itself through the water. When the beaver is under water, its nose and ears close up, and a special membrane covers its eyes. Beavers have flat tails and long, sharp upper and lower incisor teeth that they use to cut into trees and woody vegetation. Like the incisors in all rodents, these teeth grow throughout the beaver's life. The American beaver is North America's largest rodent. It is found throughout North America, except for the northern most parts of Canada, parts of Florida, the desert Southwest, and Mexico. The Eurasian beaver is found from northern Europe east to Siberia. It is the largest rodent in Europe. It looks like the American beaver. The Eurasian beaver is more likely to live in a burrow than a lodge.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
American Beaver - Castor canadensis		None

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
American Beaver - Castor canadensis		Eurasian Beaver - Castor fiber

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
The American beaver usually rises at sundown and returns to its lodge at sunrise.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
The American beaver is the national animal of Canada.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
American beavers are monogamous.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
Young beavers are called kits. They leave the family colony when they are six months old.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
The beaver can cut down an 8-foot tree in just five minutes.
Source: Oregon Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Beaver - Castor canadensis
The beaver's life span in the wild is 10-12 years.
Source: Minnesota Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Beaver - Castor fiber
The Eurasian beaver was once found throughout Europe and Asia. It was almost hunted to extinction for its fur and castoreum.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Beaver - Castor fiber
Eurasian beavers build lodges made of sand and clay in river banks.
Source: Boreal Forest Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Beaver - Castor fiber
Eurasian beavers live in small family groups.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School