North American Beaver

During an overnight trip the houseboat was beached and secured in a small inlet.  During supper I saw a beaver emerge from the water and perch itself on the shoreline not far from the boat.  It remained there for several minutes before retreating back into the water.  A short time later it was back in the same spot nibbling on some type of aquatic plant.  Again it was there for several minutes before turning around and submerging into the lake.  I quickly scrambled, grabbed my camera and rushed off the boat.  I sprinted the short distance and then crouched down at a spot where I would be in position to get some close-up pictures of our dinner “guest” in case it appeared again.  Before I was able to catch my breath the large rodent surfaced, swam in and then waddled up into the shallows of the shoreline less than twenty feet from my location.  Peering at me (but without batting an eye) it proceeded to chow down on the aquatic plant material that it had collected to snack on.

The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is an iconic figure of the boreal forest.  The high value placed on their fur pelts by Europeans in the 17th century was the catalyst for the Fur Trade era.  This inevitably led to the colonization of North America by European settlers which changed things forever. 

Beavers are a herbivorous species of fresh water habitats and consume tree bark, aquatic plants, sedges and grasses.  Beavers have four chisel-shaped incisors that grow continuously along with powerful chewing muscles which enables them to fell trees of significant size.  They use trees and branches to build dams and lodges which provides them with habitat, shelter and protection.  Beavers are strong swimmers facilitated by hind feet that are webbed.  However, their front feet are dexterous enabling them to dig as well as giving them the ability to clutch and manoeuvre objects.  During my close encounter experience with the beaver I noticed that the front feet were dark and very smooth.  It looked as though the beaver had put on a long and elegant pair of black leather dinner gloves to use for consuming its meal.

Picture behind the picture. Photo credit: Joanna Klein