Canadian BeaverCanadian BeaverCastor CanadensisCastor Canadensis

Bio 586/786Bio 586/786

Jacob StewartJacob Stewart

Classification Classification Kingdom: Kingdom: AnimaliaAnimalia Phylum: Phylum: ChordataChordata Subphylum: Subphylum: VertebrataVertebrata Class: Class: MammaliaMammalia Order: Order: RodentiaRodentia Suborder:Suborder:SciurognathiSciurognathi Family: Family: CastoridaeCastoridae Genus: Genus: CastorCastor Species: Species: Castor Castor

canadensiscanadensis

IdentificationIdentification

largest rodent in North America and second largest rodent in North America and second only to the Capybara in South America only to the Capybara in South America

Length of head and body: 22 to 27 inches Length of head and body: 22 to 27 inches Length of tail: 12 to 16 inches Length of tail: 12 to 16 inches Total length: 34 to 43 inchesTotal length: 34 to 43 inches Weight: 30 to 68 lbs have been know to Weight: 30 to 68 lbs have been know to

weigh up to 100 lbs!!!!weigh up to 100 lbs!!!!

Identification cont.Identification cont. Large flat, black tailLarge flat, black tail They have a waterproof, They have a waterproof,

glossy, reddish brown or glossy, reddish brown or blackish brown coat. blackish brown coat.

The ears are short, round, The ears are short, round, and dark brown in and dark brown in coloration. coloration.

A beaver's hind legs are A beaver's hind legs are longer than its front legs, longer than its front legs, thus making the rear end thus making the rear end to be higher than the front to be higher than the front end while walking. end while walking.

Identification Identification

Identification of the skullIdentification of the skull

DistributionDistribution

In 1600 there were 60 to 100 million beaver In 1600 there were 60 to 100 million beaver in North America. in North America.

First exploitation of a natural resource by First exploitation of a natural resource by EuropeansEuropeans

Beaver pellets were used for currency by Beaver pellets were used for currency by early settlersearly settlers

The beaver went extinct east of the The beaver went extinct east of the Mississippi River. Mississippi River.

DistributionDistribution

Whiteman exported 500,000 skins annually Whiteman exported 500,000 skins annually until 1800 when legislation was put in place until 1800 when legislation was put in place to protect the beaver.to protect the beaver.

Now 175,000 pelts are harvested annually. In some Now 175,000 pelts are harvested annually. In some

places the beaver has re-established itself to places the beaver has re-established itself to nuisance proportions. nuisance proportions.

The population is still thought to be only 5 % of The population is still thought to be only 5 % of what it was when America was first settled what it was when America was first settled

DistributionDistribution

Life HistoryLife History

Beavers are monogamousBeavers are monogamous They stay together for life, but will remarry if mate dies.They stay together for life, but will remarry if mate dies. beavers mate in their lodges, they often choose to couple beavers mate in their lodges, they often choose to couple

under water, and in some cases, under the ice.under water, and in some cases, under the ice. Breeding starts in January or February Breeding starts in January or February Gestation lasts about 4 monthsGestation lasts about 4 months The kits are wined at 1 mounth.The kits are wined at 1 mounth. male and female both take care of the youngmale and female both take care of the young The female can have 1-5 young The female can have 1-5 young So a beaver lodge can have up to 12 beavers present at one So a beaver lodge can have up to 12 beavers present at one

time.time.  

Life history cont.Life history cont.

The babies are about one pound at birthThe babies are about one pound at birth Born with full coat of fur and their eyes openBorn with full coat of fur and their eyes open Kits can swim, but it may take them a month or Kits can swim, but it may take them a month or

more to figure out how to hold their breathmore to figure out how to hold their breath The young stay with the parents until they are 1.5-The young stay with the parents until they are 1.5-

2.5 years old.2.5 years old. They then leave their parents lodge and start to They then leave their parents lodge and start to

build their own lodge.build their own lodge.

Life historyLife history

Beavers can live any Beavers can live any were from 10 to 20 were from 10 to 20 years in the wildyears in the wild

Have lived up to 50 Have lived up to 50 years in captivityyears in captivity

MortalityMortality

Man is the main Man is the main cause of mortalitycause of mortality

Wolves Wolves CoyotesCoyotes LynxLynx BearsBears WolverinesWolverines

Prey on YoungPrey on Young MinkMink HawksHawks Owls Owls 

DietDiet herbivores Prefer herbs over

woody plants when available

water lilies and other aquatic vegetation in the early spring

aspen, poplar, birch, maple, willow and alder

In the winter

BehaviorBehavior Beavers are primarily nocturnal, dividing their time between feeding, Beavers are primarily nocturnal, dividing their time between feeding,

grooming, repairing lodges and dams, resting and playing.grooming, repairing lodges and dams, resting and playing. A successful beaver pair require cooperation and a strong bond. The A successful beaver pair require cooperation and a strong bond. The

couple shares a lodge, and collaborates in building duties and couple shares a lodge, and collaborates in building duties and territorial defense.territorial defense.

Though beavers will defend their colony and lodge against members of Though beavers will defend their colony and lodge against members of other colonies, they may co- operate in the repair of a shared dam. other colonies, they may co- operate in the repair of a shared dam.

The beavers greatest protection against heat loss is its coat. Therefore, The beavers greatest protection against heat loss is its coat. Therefore, grooming takes on particular importance. Using a modified claw, grooming takes on particular importance. Using a modified claw, beavers comb castoreum, into their fur.beavers comb castoreum, into their fur.

Castoreum, a complex mixture of more than 50 different chemicals, is Castoreum, a complex mixture of more than 50 different chemicals, is excreted by a gland near the anus. Aside from being an efficient excreted by a gland near the anus. Aside from being an efficient waterproofing agent, waterproofing agent,

This concoction is likely pheromonal that is used by both the male and This concoction is likely pheromonal that is used by both the male and female to mark territories , and used in attracting matesfemale to mark territories , and used in attracting mates . .

Behavior cont.Behavior cont.

Beavers are active year-round. Beavers are active year-round. While ambient temperatures may fall to -40 While ambient temperatures may fall to -40

C, the temperature within the chamber of C, the temperature within the chamber of occupied beaver lodges seldom drops below occupied beaver lodges seldom drops below freezing. freezing.

The beaver caches food in the den in the late The beaver caches food in the den in the late fall so the will have food for the winter.fall so the will have food for the winter.

The lodges also serve as a nearly The lodges also serve as a nearly impregnable defense against predators.impregnable defense against predators.

Wetland habitat needsWetland habitat needs

All beavers need is a source of water and a All beavers need is a source of water and a good supply of food (plants).good supply of food (plants).

Usually in a flat wooded valleys Usually in a flat wooded valleys Beavers' ability to change the landscape is Beavers' ability to change the landscape is

second only to humanssecond only to humans

The beaver lodgeThe beaver lodge

Beavers create their own Beavers create their own impoundments called impoundments called lodges or damslodges or dams

These lodges are made These lodges are made of sticks, mud, and other of sticks, mud, and other vegetation.vegetation.

They create these for They create these for protection against protection against predators and for predators and for protection against the protection against the elements.elements.

Beaver lodgeBeaver lodge

Beaver lodge cont.Beaver lodge cont.

VocalizationVocalization

communicates through tail communicates through tail slapping, scent marking, postures, slapping, scent marking, postures, and various vocalizations. and various vocalizations.

Young and adult beavers communicate Young and adult beavers communicate with soft chortling noises.with soft chortling noises.

  The young can make sounds that The young can make sounds that resemble a duck quackingresemble a duck quacking..

Importance of the beaver Indians called beaver ponds the “sacred

center. This was because the beaver creates valuable habitat for mammals, fish, turtles, frogs, birds and ducks.

In essence beavers are a keystone species. They create habitat and species diversity.

Beaver ProblemsBeaver Problems

Out law trapping in Out law trapping in Colorado Colorado

Flooding agriculture fieldsFlooding agriculture fields Cutting down treesCutting down trees Road floodingRoad flooding Redirect stream flowsRedirect stream flows loss of large specimen loss of large specimen

trees trees higher water higher water

temperatures.temperatures.

ManagementManagement

TrappingTrapping Cylindrical Cages Cylindrical Cages Paint with SandPaint with Sand Low FencesLow Fences Electric wire Electric wire Repellents and Other Methods Repellents and Other Methods Learn to live with BeaverLearn to live with Beaver Tree cuttingTree cutting

TrappingTrapping

Conibear TrapConibear Trap Leghold Trap  Leghold Trap  Basket / suitcase type Basket / suitcase type

traps traps

When to use pipesWhen to use pipes 1. There must be at least 4 feet of water depth available after the pipe is 1. There must be at least 4 feet of water depth available after the pipe is

installed in climates where the water freezes. In other words you must installed in climates where the water freezes. In other words you must have enough depth so that the beaver can still swim under the ice no have enough depth so that the beaver can still swim under the ice no matter how thick the ice gets. You will need more depth in more matter how thick the ice gets. You will need more depth in more northern regions.northern regions.

2. There is enough land around the pond to allow for seasonal flooding. 2. There is enough land around the pond to allow for seasonal flooding. 3. There is no concern with tree damage. Pipes don't protect trees.3. There is no concern with tree damage. Pipes don't protect trees. In any event, we recommend the following definition of what constitutes In any event, we recommend the following definition of what constitutes

an effective and working beaver pipe:an effective and working beaver pipe: 1. Flooding must be controlled to tolerable limits of those living around 1. Flooding must be controlled to tolerable limits of those living around

the water shed.the water shed. 2. The pipe should only need to be cleaned no more than once per week.2. The pipe should only need to be cleaned no more than once per week. 3. The pipe should solve the flooding problem for at least one year. 3. The pipe should solve the flooding problem for at least one year. 4. Sue Langlois of the MDFW stated that she would like another 4. Sue Langlois of the MDFW stated that she would like another

criterion added namely, that the beavers stayed in the dam area after criterion added namely, that the beavers stayed in the dam area after the pipe was installed.the pipe was installed.

Beaver pipesBeaver pipes

ManagementManagement

ManagementManagement

Tree cutting Tree cutting

A man named Rawge, does not suggest removing A man named Rawge, does not suggest removing trees to discourage beaver. He says, "having studied trees to discourage beaver. He says, "having studied beaver for many years, and removing the trees will beaver for many years, and removing the trees will result in their eating telephone poles for gnawing and result in their eating telephone poles for gnawing and roots and tubers, or even grass for nutrients. I have roots and tubers, or even grass for nutrients. I have studied their diets under stressed circumstances and studied their diets under stressed circumstances and would not recommend removing trees.; they just would not recommend removing trees.; they just change to other sources, and its doubtful that they change to other sources, and its doubtful that they would abandon the area. I do agree with the tree would abandon the area. I do agree with the tree wrapping.(wrapping.(http://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com/beaverdamagesolutions.hthttp://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com/beaverdamagesolutions.htm#Non-Lethal%20Beaver%20Control%20Methods)m#Non-Lethal%20Beaver%20Control%20Methods)

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

A Beaver's chewing force is 80 kg (176 lbs) A Beaver's chewing force is 80 kg (176 lbs) compared to man's 40 kg. (88 lbs). compared to man's 40 kg. (88 lbs).

Some Beavers are reported to travel as far Some Beavers are reported to travel as far as 147 miles from the lodge they were born as 147 miles from the lodge they were born in.in.

Beavers can chew through a six-inch tree in Beavers can chew through a six-inch tree in 15 minutes. 15 minutes.

A single beaver can chew down hundreds of A single beaver can chew down hundreds of trees each year. trees each year.

Works CitedWorks Cited Lawrence, William H. 1954. Michigan beaver populations as influenced Lawrence, William H. 1954. Michigan beaver populations as influenced

by fire and logging. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. 219 p. by fire and logging. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. 219 p. Dissertation. [16480]Dissertation. [16480]

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~snell/beaver.htmlhttp://www.csh.rit.edu/~snell/beaver.html http://www.bear-tracker.com/beaver.htmlhttp://www.bear-tracker.com/beaver.html http://www.beaversww.org/beaver.htmlhttp://www.beaversww.org/beaver.html http://www.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/mammals/freshwater/accounts/http://www.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/mammals/freshwater/accounts/

beaver.htmbeaver.htm Allen, Arthur W. 1983. Habitat suitability index models: beaver. Allen, Arthur W. 1983. Habitat suitability index models: beaver.

FWS/OBS-82/10.30 (Revised). Washingtion, DC: U.S. Department of the FWS/OBS-82/10.30 (Revised). Washingtion, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 20 p. [11716 Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 20 p. [11716

http://www.pfmt.org/wildlife/somethings/beaver.htmhttp://www.pfmt.org/wildlife/somethings/beaver.htm http://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com/beaverdamagesolutions.htm#Non-Lethttp://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com/beaverdamagesolutions.htm#Non-Let

hal%20Beaver%20Control%20Methodshal%20Beaver%20Control%20Methods http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/beaver/handou11.htmhttp://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/beaver/handou11.htm