| North American Beaver (Castor canadensis (Kuhl, 1820)) |
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Scientific name: Castor canadensis (Kuhl, 1820) Common name: North American Beaver French name: Castor du Canada Family: Castoridae Size: Weight: 11 to 32 kg; Body size: 75 to 90 cm to which must be added 20 to 35 cm for the tail. Biotope: Vicinity of lakes and fresh water courses. Food: Bark, leaves, herbaceous plants and aquatic plants. Longevity : 12 to 15 years. Geographic area: North America. |
The North American Beaver is the second largest rodent in the Americas after the Greater Capybara found in South America. It almost disappeared with the arrival of European settlers who hunted and trapped it for its fur. The North American Beaver has a plump body extended by a large flattened tail. The body is covered with dark brown, shiny and waterproof fur. It has four sharp incisors which are constantly sharpened by friction. They are used to fell trees. The Canadian beaver lives in family colonies comprising parents, young of the year and those of the previous year. This can reach a total of a dozen individuals. It builds dams to enlarge the flooded areas necessary for its semi-aquatic way of life. |
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We had an excellent stop at Domaine de Valga on the shore of Lac des frères. We also had the visit of the North American Beaver who seemed to us to be doing his little tour of the lake to come and see the tourists. |
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This North American Beaver stayed for several minutes swimming close to our small group on the shore, confident of being safe in the water. |
André Bon May 2023