Hi again, Earth Rangers!
Its Sarah Bayliff, BC Interior Program Manager at the Nature Conservancy of Canada again. I am still in the Bunchgrass Hills Conservation Area, a huge area of native grasslands, forests, and wetlands south of Kamloops in British Columbia. This area is a vital wildlife corridor, and part of my job is helping to protect it and the amazing animals that call it home, from buzzing bumblebees to busy beavers!
Beavers live all across Canada, the U.S., southern Alaska, and even northern Mexico. They’re famous for their sharp teeth and strong, flat tails. Here’s a cool fact: the average beaver can cut down about 216 trees each year – even trees as wide as 40 centimetres! They use the wood to build their homes, called lodges, which have dry living spaces accessed through underwater entrances and ramps. To make sure their lodges don’t wash away, beavers build dams that slow the water in the streams where they live. They use their strong tails help pat mud into place, keeping the dam sturdy and secure. Beavers also use their tails as propellers while swimming, reaching speeds up to 8 km/h (5 mph). That’s twice as fast as the average human!
Beavers are the world’s second-largest rodent, after capybaras, and can weigh up to 50 pounds! They are the largest rodent native to North America and have been important to Indigenous communities across the continent for centuries, not just as a food source, but also as a cultural icon. Beaver pelts were even a key part of trade with European settlers. Because of their huge impact on Canada’s history and development, the beaver was officially declared a national emblem in 1975. Sadly, over-trapping and habitat loss brought beaver populations to the brink of extinction for hundreds of years.
Today, beavers are making a comeback, but they still need our help. That’s why places like the Bunchgrass Hills Conservation Area are so important. By protecting healthy habitats, we give beavers and countless other species the space they need to thrive.
Want to help out? You can help protect beavers and their habitats by sponsoring my work! Check out the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or grab your very own Beaver Adoption Kit from the Earth Rangers Shop!
