The Beaver
Castor canadensis
Beavers are famous for their dam-building skills. They are Americas' largest rodent. They gnaw down trees leaving cone shaped stumps and drag their cuttings to the damsite. They block off streams forming small ponds then build a stick and mud lodge with an underwater entrance to an inside platform above water. They remain inside during the day and emerge at dusk and dawn to forage on tender plants . In late summer and fall they store cuttings in an underwater food pile to be eaten during the winter months. They raise their young in this underwater home. The young stay with their parents until they are about 2 years old and then disperse to build their own dam.
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