Leave it to Beavers
Beavers are excellent builders: they are the only other animal besides humans that create their own wetlands! Beavers live in riparian areas – near the edges of streams. They build dams that stop the flow of water from small streams. Eventually, wetland plants move into the area, creating habitat for animals such as deer, birds and muskrats. In May, 2010 satellites captured an image of the largest known beaver dam in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park. The dam was 2,800 feet long!
Viewer Tip: Although beavers were hunted to near extinction for their fur during the late 1800s, healthy populations now live throughout North America. Beavers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Keep a lookout for beaver dams and lodges in your local wetlands. If you wait patiently nearby, you may hear a beaver slap its tail – a warning sign for other beavers to beware of predators. Beavers do not harm people; however, construction of their dams can alter streamside property. If you have beavers disrupting your land, contact your local or state environmental department to discuss relocating the animals.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Education for Kids. Critter Corner: The Beaver, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/mammal/beaver.htm. Globobio Glossopedia: American Beavers, http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=28&art_nm=American+Beaver.)
