BEAVER
JOB: CAREFUL
Beaver is a Robimal who works carefully when he has a job to do.
Meet a Real Beaver
Cool Facts:
Beavers are amazing builders! They use strong teeth and branches to construct dams and lodges in rivers and streams.
Beavers have a special adaptation on their tails that acts like a rudder to help them steer in the water.
Their powerful front legs are like tiny paddles, perfect for swimming and carrying building materials.
Where They Live:
Beavers live in freshwater areas like rivers, streams, and lakes. They prefer places with plenty of trees and plants for food and building materials. You can find beavers in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Where They Sleep:
Beavers are nocturnal creatures, meaning they sleep during the day and come out at night. They build cozy underwater lodges with tunnels leading up to land for easy access. These lodges are made of sticks and branches plastered with mud, keeping them warm and safe.
Home Life and Social:
Beavers are very social animals and live in family groups. Parents work together to raise their kits (baby beavers) and teach them how to build, swim, and find food. They communicate with each other through slapping their tails on the water and squeaking.
Friendships:
While beavers are social, they don't form deep friendships outside their family group. However, they do interact with neighboring beaver families and sometimes even work together on building projects.
What They Do for Fun:
Beavers are hard workers, but they also enjoy playtime! They love to swim, dive, and chase each other in the water. Kits especially love to practice their building skills by gnawing on sticks and branches.
Size of the Animal:
Beavers are the second-largest rodents in the world, after the capybara. They can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 66 pounds.
Power Level:
Beavers might not look strong, but they are surprisingly powerful for their size! Their sharp teeth can chew through tough wood, and their strong legs and tails help them swim and carry heavy branches.
Life Span:
In the wild, beavers typically live for 6-8 years. Threats from the environment and competition for resources can affect their lifespan. In captivity, with good care and plenty of food to munch on, they can live up to 20 years old.
First Known to Humans:
Fossil records suggest beavers have been around for at least 34 million years. Humans have likely known about beavers since our earliest beginnings, as these industrious creatures would have been common near rivers and lakes.
