Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

American Beaver

Castor canadensis

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The ultimate landscape architect, the American Beaver is a keystone species that creates entire ecosystems through its dam-building prowess. From its paddle-shaped tail to its waterproof fur, every inch of this rodent is perfectly adapted for a life of engineering.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 2.4-3.3 ft (74-100 cm); tail 8-12 in (20-30 cm); weight 24-71 lbs (11-32 kg)

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Colors

Rich dark brown to reddish-brown waterproof fur; blackish-gray scaly tail; dark webbed hind feet

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Key Features

Broad, horizontally flattened scaly tail
Large orange-enameled front incisors
Webbed hind feet and small dexterous front paws
Valves in nose and ears that close underwater

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 6 PM - 6 AM

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Season Year-round (highest activity in September-November)

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Diet Herbivorous; consumes the inner bark (cambium) and leaves of woody plants like aspen, willow, and birch, as well as aquatic vegetation and grasses.

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Habitat Freshwater systems including rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, especially those adjacent to woodlands.

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Where Does the American Beaver Live?

Native to the North American continent, the American Beaver is found throughout the majority of Canada and the United States, reaching as far north as the Alaskan treeline and as far south as northern Mexico. They are remarkably resilient, inhabiting environments ranging from high mountain streams to suburban drainage basins. Beyond their native range, they have established significant introduced populations in the Patagonia region of South America and parts of Scandinavia and Russia, where they were originally brought for the fur trade.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

7 Countries

15.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States CA Canada MX Mexico AR Argentina CL Chile Finland Russia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

American Beavers are nature's premier ecosystem engineers, famous for their ability to transform dry land into thriving wetlands by constructing dams. These industrious rodents live in tight-knit family units called colonies, usually consisting of a monogamous pair and two generations of offspring. They are highly territorial and use 'scent mounds' made of mud and castoreum to mark their boundaries. While they are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, they can occasionally be seen during the day in undisturbed areas.

Communication is vital to beaver social life. The most iconic behavior is the tail slap; when threatened, a beaver will strike the water's surface with its broad tail, creating a loud crack that warns the family to dive for safety. In their interactions with humans, beavers are generally shy and non-aggressive, though their engineering projects can sometimes lead to conflicts when they flood roads or ornamental landscapes. They spend much of the autumn in a flurry of activity, repairing dams and stockpiling a 'midden' or food cache of submerged branches to survive the winter.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of an American Beaver, location is everything. Look for 'beaver slides'—well-worn, muddy paths where they drag logs from the woods into the water. Mount your camera about 12-18 inches off the ground, angled slightly toward the water's edge or across the path. If you can find a scent mound (a pile of mud and debris near the bank), this is a prime spot for a camera, as beavers will frequently stop to investigate and refresh the scent.

Because beavers are most active between dusk and dawn, ensure your camera has a strong infrared (IR) flash with a fast trigger speed. Use the 'Video' or 'Hybrid' mode rather than still photos; beavers move with a slow, steady gait, and a 20-second video clip captures their fascinating behavior far better than a single frame. Set your camera to a high sensitivity (PIR) setting, as their wet fur can sometimes blend in with the ambient temperature of the mud and water.

Late summer and autumn are the best times for trail camera trapping. During these months, beavers are frantically repairing their dams and building underwater food caches for the winter. You will often capture them carrying large branches or patting mud into place with their front paws. If you are setting up near a dam, be mindful of water levels; a heavy rain can cause the pond to rise rapidly, potentially submerging your camera. Always use a secure tree mount and consider a security box if you are in a semi-public area, though the beavers themselves are unlikely to mess with your gear.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with American Beaver.

North American River Otter

More slender and agile with a thick, furred tail; swims much faster and is primarily a carnivore.

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Frequently Asked Questions

American Beavers are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the night and at the transitional hours of dawn and dusk. You are most likely to spot them working on their dams or foraging for food between 6:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Attracting beavers requires a permanent water source, such as a creek or pond, and a healthy supply of their favorite trees like willow, aspen, or cottonwood. However, beavers usually find their own territory. Providing a 'wild' riparian buffer with native trees is the best way to make your property beaver-friendly.

Beavers are strict herbivores. They eat the soft inner bark (cambium) of trees, as well as the leaves and twigs. In the summer, they supplement this woody diet with aquatic plants like water lilies, cattails, and pondweed.

Yes, American Beavers are increasingly common in suburban areas. They are highly adaptable and will move into any area with sufficient water and food, often utilizing drainage ditches, retention ponds, and suburban golf course water hazards.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the tail and size. Beavers are much larger (up to 70 lbs) and have a broad, flat, horizontal tail. Muskrats are small (2-4 lbs) and have a thin, vertically flattened tail that moves side-to-side when they swim.

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