Beaver Dam diorama

The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is one of the largest and heaviest rodents in existence. The species lives in colonies, usually 4-8 individuals, along the banks of rivers and streams in the northern forest belt of North America. In large rivers, where the water level does not fluctuate appreciably, the beaver typically digs an upward-sloping tunnel into the riverbank. In shallow, slow-moving waters typical of Northern Maine, beavers build extensive dams near where they construct a house and hollow out a living chamber and passages. Large dams are maintained by generations of beaver families over a period of many years, perhaps even centuries.