About beavers

Posted 8/21/12

Have you ever encountered North America’s largest rodent? Even if you’ve never witnessed a live beaver in action, chances are you’ve seen the results of its handiwork, in the form of dome-like …

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About beavers

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Have you ever encountered North America’s largest rodent? Even if you’ve never witnessed a live beaver in action, chances are you’ve seen the results of its handiwork, in the form of dome-like lodges, dams and the resultant ponds and wetlands that are created, or the chiseled stumps of trees harvested by these 30- to 60-pound semi-aquatic mammals.

In the Upper Delaware River region, beavers mate in late January through March, with fully furred babies born in late April through early June. They usually mate for life and live in colonies that include a breeding pair and offspring up to approximately two years of age.

The work of beavers benefits many wildlife species such as great blue herons, great horned owls, wood ducks and other waterfowl who nest in the dead snags or tree cavities associated with beaver ponds, as well as fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals like otters and muskrats. The ponds also provide environmental benefits related to water storage and purification.

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Despite their waddle-like movement on land, beavers are excellent swimmers. They use their nine- to 15-inch scaly paddle-like tails as rudders and webbed rear feet like fins, remaining underwater for up to 15 minutes without surfacing. The tail is also used to store fat during winter, to stabilize the animal when cutting down trees and is slapped against the surface of the water to startle intruders or alert other beavers. A set of transparent eyelids function like goggles, and valves on the ears, nose and mouth keep out water when the animal is submerged. The orange fishing bobber near the end of its tail helps to establish perspective on this beaver’s size.

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