Castoroides
Castoroides, extinct genus of giant beavers found as fossils in Pleistocene deposits in North America (the Pleistocene Epoch began 2.6 million years ago and ended 11,700 years ago). Castoroides attained a length of about 2.5 metres (7.5 feet). The skull was large and the gnawing teeth strongly developed. In Europe a similar form of giant beaver, Trogontherium, paralleled the development of Castoroides.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Castoroides
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
21 September 2016
Access Date:
November 14, 2026