Beaver

When the first settlers came to North America, the beaver covered the region. One observer wrote of North Carolina, "Beavers are very numerous in Carolina, there being an abundance of dams in all parts of the country..." (circa 1700). However, with the popularity of the beaver hat in Europe, the beaver population became greatly reduced until the turn of the century, around 1900.

The beaver is a rodent, the largest rodent in North America and the second largest in the world. Once, more than 90 million beaver inhabited North America. Now, it usually runs around 10 million. Not only was the beaver trapped for its fur, but its glands are used in medicines and perfumes.  A beaver continues to grow, even as an adult. It's not uncommon to find one weighing over 55 pounds, and they normally live up to 25 years in the wild. They're know for building dams and lodges from the trees and shrubs they cut with their strong front teeth, which continue to grow so they won't become worn down. 

Beavers are herbivores, eating certain wood, weeds, and water plants. Good swimmers, they can stay underwater for as long as 15 minutes, but they tend to be slow on land. They have poor eyesight but well-developed hearing, smell, and feel. When frightened, they send an alarm signal by slapping the water with their paddle-like tail. The sound travels a great distance and warns other beavers of possible danger. Although the beaver populations seemed endangered at one time, efforts have been made to stabilize their numbers.

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