Beaver
Castor canadensis
Appearance
Range & Habitat
Reciprocal relationships
Beavers change complete landscapes! They chew through trees and open up the canopy for understory plants to grow. They bring many materials from fallen trees, like twigs, leaves and branches, to help create their dams and lodges. Beavers will build dams in rivers, causing the area to flood and create a pond. Not only is this where the beaver will build its safe and secure lodge home, but it also provides great habitat for other species. Beaver lodges have underwater entrances to help protect the beaver and its young!
The beaver possesses many gifts! They are adept at swimming, building, and tree chomping. However, their greatest gifts might be those of resiliency and community-building. These beings are some of the first to help restore and regenerate wetlands. Through building dams, they foster biodiversity by creating dynamic ecosystems.
Beavers are especially important beings because their dams and lodges can help to increase groundwater. This can help prevent droughts and fires in our landscapes.