Beavers are monogamous animals that mate with only one partner. In the case where one of the mates dies, the other will most likely find a new partner to establish a home range and produce a new litter. As a rule, Beavers live in family colonies comprising two adults, a litter from the current year, and a few animals from the previous litter. However, individual Beavers do not start a family colony, but instead spend the whole of their life alone. They are referred to as "bachelors" no matter what the sex of the animal is. Although Beavers reach sexual maturity sooner than at the age of three years old, most do not breed until they have found a good area to build a home and a fitting partner to start a family.
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Photo courtesy of
Trees for Life ©
Niall Benvie
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Beavers - Breeding Season
Breeding season falls in January-February. Beavers are territorial animals and have to use some simple techniques to attract a partner. Oil productive glands allow Beavers to mark their territory and are a reliable means of letting prospective mates know they are welcomed to share the area. Gestation period lasts for about four months. The average litter size is 4 kits. They are born fully furred and learn to swim soon after birth. Their eyes are open at birth and will go underwater within a few hours after the actual time of birth. Delivery can be a long process sometimes. It may take a few days for a female Beaver to produce a litter. Beavers - Family Colony
It is interesting to know that only one female, the founder of the family colony, will breed once a year. At the age of two years old, Beavers are forced to leave their family and seek appropriate sites of their own. Very often, they will go up or down the stream and create a new dam. Therefore, a series of dams found in some areas may belong to the Beavers that once belonged to the same family. However, in areas with high Beaver density, where there is a shortage of suitable sites, they can travel long distances in search of a new home. Some Beavers are reported to travel as far as 147 miles from their parents' residence.
Beavers care for their offspring by supplying them with food. Since the young do not travel far from the den, food should always be available for them. Beavers usually store food in tunnels making it unnecessary for juveniles to leave the site for too long. Inexperienced juveniles may become the victims of natural predators. Such animals as Coyotes, Owls, and Eagles find young Beavers an attractive food source. They also compose the ration of such predators as Wolves, Mountain Lions, Lynx, and others. Beavers that are lucky to avoid a predator or a trap will live up to ten years or longer in the wild.
Beavers - Species Information Links
All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory - Information on the American Beaver includes taxonomy, description, links to pictures, and natural history.
American Beaver - Site contains description, range, habitat, and diet of the American Beaver.
American Beaver Links - Links to sites containing general information on the species.
American Beaver Overview - Appearance, distribution, food habits, life cycle, interesting facts, and links.
American Beaver Pictures - Pictures of the Beaver and its lodges.
BC Adventure - Information on the Beaver in British Columbia. Contains description, distribution, and information on tracks.
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Photo courtesy of
Trees for Life ©
Niall Benvie
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Beaver (Castor Canadensis) - Contains information on habitat, food, and reproduction of the North American Beaver.
Beaver Facts - Brief information on Beaver's lifestyle.
Beaver Habitat - Brief information on the American Beaver and its habitat.
Beaver Information - Description, reproduction, habitat, diet, and general information.
Beaver Sites - Pictures of Beaver sites and sounds that the species is known to produce.
Beaver, Castor Canadensis - Description, distribution, reproduction, ecology, behavior, and vocalization.
Beavers in Alaska - Characteristics and links.
Castor Canadensis - Visit this page to find description of the American Beaver, information on habitat, food, reproduction, and development.
Castor Canadensis (Beavers) - Geographic range, physical characteristics, natural history, economic importance for humans, and conservation information.
Comparative Placentation - Contains general zoological data, general gestational data, implantation, characterization of the placenta, details of fetal/maternal barrier, genetics, and more.
Critter Corner - Information for kids concerning the Beaver, its tracks, habits, and diet.
Distribution of Beaver in Oklahoma - PDF file with information on the species and its distribution in the state.
Enchanted Learning - Brief information on the species including habitat and distribution, diet, and physical characteristics.
In the Forest - Brief information on the species and its use by Native Americans.
Large Rodents - American Beavers - Description, habitat, breeding, and information on the facts on the species.
Largest North American Rodent - Informs on Beaver's distribution, habitat, reproduction, and other issues.
Nature Snapshots from Minnesota DNR - Identification, reproduction, diet, habitat, and other valuable information on the American Beaver.
Official Mammal - Beaver is an official mammal of Canada, Oregon, and New York. Learn more about the issue.
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Photo courtesy of
Bob Arnebeck's Web Page on Beavers
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Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science - The relative distribution of Beaver was compared to the. Distribution of impounded potential Beaver habitat and the types of depredation they cause were investigated.
Species Spotlight - Lifestyle of the Beaver is shed some light on.
The American Beaver - Species description, photographs, phylogeny, geographic distribution, habitat, natural history, conservation biology, and links to other sites.
The Beaver - Description, reproduction, habits, general information, tracks, and range of the North American Beaver.
The Beaver - Life Tracks - Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources offers information on the species.
The Mammals of Texas - Description, habits, and distribution in Texas.
Web of Species - Pictures and information on the American Beaver.
Wildlife - Contains information on breeding, preferred habitats, food habits, and more.
Wildlife Park - Facts about the American Beaver.
