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beaver
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American beaver Cross-sectional illustration of a beaver lodge built from sticks and mud, showing labeled chambers for eating and nesting, with underwater entrances leading into the structure. A beaver (Castor canadensis) is resting inside, surrounded by water and forest. Snow-capped mountains rise behind a dense evergreen forest and a reflective lake in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.
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A Eurasian beaver sits on a muddy, grassy shore surrounded by green plants in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
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Follow a beaver family and its kits for a year in the Rocky Mountains and learn about their habits and habitat
At a Glance
American beaver
beaver summary
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American beaver
American beaver American beaver (Castor canadensis), which is also known as the North American beaver, occurs throughout forested parts of North America to northern Mexico.

beaver

rodent
Also known as: Castor
Written by
Guy Musser
Archbold Curator Emeritus Vertebrate Zoology and Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, U.S.
Guy Musser
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
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beaver, (genus Castor), either of two species of amphibious rodents native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Beavers are the largest rodents in North America and Eurasia and the second largest rodents worldwide. Their bodies extend up to 80 cm (31 inches) long and generally weigh 16–30 kg (35–66 pounds); however, beavers continue to grow throughout their life, and the heaviest beavers can weigh more than 50 kg (110 pounds). The distinctive tail is scaly,...

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