Beavers are large semiaquatic rodents in the genus Castor of the Northern Hemisphere with 2 existing species: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). They are the 2nd-largest living rodents after capybaras, having a head–body length of 80–120 centimeters (31–47 inches) with a 25–50 centimeter (10–20 inch) tail, a shoulder height of 30–60 centimeters (12–24 inches), and generally weighing 11–50 kilograms (24–110 pounds). They have stout bodies with large heads, long chisel-like incisors, brown or gray fur, hand-like front feet, webbed back feet, and tails that are flat and scaly; the 2 species differ in skull and tail shape and fur color. Beavers can be found in a number of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. They are herbivorous, consuming tree bark, aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges.
Beavers build dams and lodges using tree branches, vegetation, rocks, and mud; chewing down trees for building material. Dams restrict water flow, forming ponds, and lodges (usually built in ponds) that serve as shelters. Their infrastructure creates wetlands used by many other species, and because of their effect on other organisms in the ecosystem, beavers are considered a keystone species. Adult males and females live in monogamous pairs with their offspring, the young help their parents repair dams and lodges after their 1st year; older siblings may also help raise newly born offspring. Beavers hold territories and mark them using scent mounds made of mud, debris, and castoreum: a liquid substance excreted through the beaver's urethra-based castor sacs. They can also recognize their kin by their anal gland secretions and are more likely to tolerate them as neighbors.
Historically, beavers have been hunted for their fur, meat, and castoreum, which has been used in medicine, perfume, and food flavoring; beaver pelts have been a major driver of the fur trade. Before protections began in the 19th and early 20th centuries, overhunting had nearly exterminated both species, but their populations have since rebounded, and they are listed as species of least concern by the IUCN Red List of mammals. The beaver symbolizes industriousness in human culture, especially in connection with construction; it is the national animal of Canada.
Games[]
Jurassic Park: Builder[]
The beaver was mentioned in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th evolution facts for Castoroides (whose name means "of the beaver family", was 200 pounds and 8 feet tall unlike its modern cousin, and had a long narrow tail making the flat appearance of modern beaver tails a recent adaptation).
Jurassic World: Alive[]
The beaver was mentioned in the database entry for Ankylocodon (which both used their tails to slap the ground and water during both communication and combat).
