Beavers are incredibly unique and interesting animals that live throughout North American, including North Carolina. These large rodents are considered semiaquatic and form tight bonds with one another. Learn more about beavers and see how they live.
Characteristics
Beavers are covered in thick, brown fur, strong teeth, webbed feet and a long, flat tail. They are distinct looking rodents that chew through trees to use them to build homes and dams. This behavior can drastically change the surrounding environment.
The American beaver weighs around 60 pounds and is 23 to 39 inches long although their tail can add another 7 to 12 inches in length. Their front teeth are approximately 25 millimeters long and will continue to grow throughout the beaver’s lifespan.
Over time, beavers have evolved to be semiaquatic. Their nostrils and ears can close and a transparent eye membrane allows them to see clearly underwater. They can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes and they use their tails as a rudder to steer and swim at a rate of up to 5 miles per hour.
Beavers have a scent gland located at the base of their tails that they use to emit a musky smell that is used to mark their territory. You may also notice that they use their tails to slap the water. This is meant to scare predators away.
Habits
Beavers are very social creatures. Males and females form monogamous pairs for life. Their babies are known as kits and the family will occupy one lodge although they will often form a social group that includes up to eight members.
Diet
Trees play an important role in the beaver’s life. They use trees to build homes, but they also eat and digest the cellulose in the trees. Beavers will eat the roots, bark, leaves and other components of trees and aquatic plants.
To learn more about rodents, pests and other animals that are common in North Carolina, call the experts at PMi Pest Management. Our technicians are well-versed in different local species and happy to answer all your questions.
