Castor canadensis

(Kuhl, 1820)

Vernacular names
English : North American beaver
French : Castor du Canada

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Castoridae
Notes : 25 subspecies known. Some subspecies’ status are still discussed.

Identification
Body length of 90 cm, tail length of 35 cm, weight up to 50 kg. Huge rodent with large flat scale-covered black tail. Fur is thick and waterproof, reddish-brown to blackish-brown. Big head with huge orange incisor teeth.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of North America, except in the Arctic tundra, south to south USA and Mexico. Introduced in Finland, Russia and Argentina. Lives in woodlands and wooded grasslands near ponds, swamps and streams.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a very large range and occurs in many protected areas. Most of its populations are stable and numerous.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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