Is your child enthralled by spooky creatures? Here are some beaver facts for kids to intrigue their curious minds. Beavers are one of the largest rodents on the planet. They have a distinct physical appearance that includes thick skin fur, a scaly tail, and webbed feet that allow them to swim. Here is a curated list of some incredible beaver facts for kids. Continue reading to find out more.
Information About Beavers For Kids
1. Classification of beavers
In general, there are two species of beavers, American and Eurasian. From their name, it is evident that the former variety is found across North America and the latter in Europe and Asia.
2. Body size of beavers
The American variety (Castor canadensis) weighs about 60lbs, and is 23 to 39 inches long. Their tails are 7.75 to 12 inches long. The other variety (Castor fiber) is almost similar in size. The difference between these two types is that the latter has smaller skulls and narrower tails than the former.
3. How they use their tail
Beavers use their tails for various purposes such as:
For notifying others about imminent predators. To balance their body in dry lands, so that they don’t trip while carrying heavy loads with their teeth.
4. Beavers’ teeth
Their teeth are of prime importance. The length of the upper incisors varies between 20 to 25mm. The presence of iron in the enamel of the tooth makes them incredibly strong and funnily the color of their teeth is orange. The growth of teeth is a gradual process and takes place throughout their life-cycle.
5. Where they live
One of the prime requirements for their survival is water. Hence, they choose their habitat around marshy lands such as freshwater lakes and ponds, swamps, rivers, etc. The American varieties are found all over the continent except in the deserts and the snowy regions of Canada. Though the Eurasian variety lived all over the two continents, rampant hunting of them has restricted them to Scandinavia, Germany, France, Poland, and central Russia.
6. What beavers eat
Their ability to digest cellulose helps them to eat leaves, roots, and bark. These herbivores have often been seen eating certain aquatic plants.
7. External body features of beavers
The eye membranes are translucent and allow beavers to see underwater. But in general, they do not possess powerful eyesight. They make it up with their excellent hearing and smelling abilities.
8. How beavers build their homes
They create dome-shaped homes called lodge, using mud, grass and sticks. The lodge measures up to 8ft in width and 3ft in height. They’re built to clear the water level. There are two compartments in their lodges, one for their living and the other one for socializing.
9. Progeny of beavers
The winters, i.e., between January and March, are the mating season for beavers. They give birth to their young ones called kits. The gestation periods vary. The Eurasian varieties have it from about 60 to 128 days whereas the American varieties have it about 105 to 107 days. An interesting thing to point out here is that their kids can swim just after a day of their birth.
10. Why beavers are regarded as hospitable hosts
Their hospitability has no bounds as they love sharing their homes with the muskrats-families (1).
