North American Beaver

This very large, dark brown rodent has a black, scaly tail which is horizontally flattened and paddle shaped and used as a rudder while swimming and as a sturdy support on land and for balance when the beaver carries heavy tree branches or building materials in its front paws. The back feet are large, webbed and black; the eyes and ears small; incisors are very large and chestnut coloured. Average weight is 45-60 pounds but they have been recorded at up to 110 pounds. The beaver occurs throughout most of Canada and all of British Columbia in rivers, streams, marshes, lakes and ponds. The beaver builds its lodge out of intertwined twigs and sticks; as freezing weather approaches they plaster the lodge with mud making a concrete layer that no predator can break through. Predators include coyotes, wolves, bears, lynx, and wolverines; mink, hawks and owls will also take some kits. In late April to early July 3-4 kits are born.

The beaver is highly adapted to its aquatic life with webbed hindfeet, the rudder-like tail, valves that close off the ears and nostrils, skin flaps that seal off the mouth but leave the incisors free for underwater gnawing and carrying, and clear membranes that slide over the eyes protecting them from floating debris. During the early nineteenth century the beaver pelt was the single most valuable commodity; the pelt being used for robes, coats, clothing trims, and top hats. The pelt is still highly valued by trappers. The beaver has been historically important for First Nations for bedding and as a trading commodity after Europeans settled in the area. Currently the beaver is protected from hunting but is a popular and abundant commodity for trappers.

The beaver creates wetlands from its natural activity, increasing habitat for many other species from moose to birds to frogs to willows. Successful beaver dams upstream slow run off and allow water to penetrate the soil deeper, bringing up the water table and supplying water to trees and shrubs that reduce erosion.

General issues across the Sub Region will be addressed below, followed by management plans specific to individual populations.

Issues:

• Unknown population size of beavers in the Sub Region

Goals:

• Initiate studies to determine the extent of beaver populations in the Sub Region
• Determine necessary conservation measures to maintain healthy population sizes of beavers