Perhaps the only rodent anyone really appreciates, the North American beaver (Castor Canadensis) is the second-largest rodent in the world with a body length of up to 80 cm and an average weight of 16-30 kg. Across North America, beavers are known for building dams on rivers and streams—earning the name ecosystem engineers for their ability to alter the landscape. Beavers build dams as a natural defense against predators, transforming flowing streams into calm, slow-moving or still waters. These dams create deep pools around a beaver’s lodge—dome-shaped homes made from sticks and mud—with underwater entrances keeping predators away. When feeling threatened, beavers will slap their flat, scaly and paddle-shaped tails on the water and rapidly dive down, remaining underwater for up to 15 minutes. This loud slapping noise also warns other beavers in the area, telling them to seek shelter from a potential threat.
An iconic feature of the beaver is their long chisel-shaped front incisor teeth! Unlike humans, a beaver’s teeth never stop growing. While this may seem inconvenient, it is incredibly important as a beaver spends much of its time chewing away at wood and bark. This is constantly grinding down their teeth and helping keep them sharp! To chew on wood all day, beavers also need strong teeth. The front of a beaver’s incisors contains iron compounds, giving them a reddish orange colour and protecting their teeth from chips and cracks.
During the North American fur trade from the 17th to 19th centuries, beavers were highly sought after, leading to a rapid decline to near extinction. Since the fur trade, beaver populations in North American have rebounded; however, they still face conflicts over land use (ex., agriculture and urban sprawl) and are often vilified for flooding infrastructure, blocking fish passage, and being labeled a general nuisance.
Despite this, the beaver is a widely recognized species across Canada. In 1975, the beaver was officially designated as the national animal. It is depicted on the nickel and was chosen to be the mascot of the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal where it went by the name “Amik”, meaning beaver in Algonquin. Many may also recognize the beaver as the symbol for Parks Canada. If we wish to go a few centuries back, we find that the beaver appeared on the coat of arms of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1671 – Wow!
Being such an important animal in Canada, it is always fascinating to see them in wild; however, their nocturnal nature can make them hard to spot. Next time you are out at a lake or wetland, grab a pair of binoculars, and search for beaver dams, lodges, or even beavers themselves! If you do see a beaver, maintain a respectable distance and don’t forget it is illegal to disturb or destroy beaver dams or lodges. If you can’t spot a beaver, you might be able to smell one! When out exploring, keep your nose open for a sweet-smelling substance called castoreum which beavers release on small piles of mud, sticks and rocks to mark their territory.
Want to learn more about how the BCWF is restoring wetlands and streams by building like beavers? Check out our page on beaver-based restoration.
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