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The canadian beaver
What are the characteristics of the beaver?
The Canadian beaver is the largest rodent in North America and the world, with the exception of the South American capybara. Its length from the head to the flat tail can reach 1.3 meters and its weight can vary between 16 and 35 kg. It has a stocky body and dense, insulating fur that is dark reddish-brown in color, consisting of long, rough hairs and down. Its fur allows it to adapt to a semi-aquatic life, where the water is often at the limit of freezing. The beaver has two glands near its anus which produce an oil that waterproofs its fur. Even after swimming for 6-7 minutes, it remains relatively dry.
Beavers are animals characterized by their wide and flat tails, which are very useful and unique in their species. Its tail measures up to 30 cm long, 20 cm wide and 2.5 cm thick. It is used for various tasks underwater and on land and is covered in tough scales and rough hairs. Supple and muscular, in the water, it acts like a rudder and helps with propulsion. While on land, it allows the beaver to sit and stand on its hind legs.
The webbed hind legs of the beaver are also very large and powerful for swimming. Thanks to its small eyes covered with a transparent membrane, it can see under water when swimming. Additionally, the nostrils and ears have valves that close when the animal is submerged. The beaver also has a special structure behind its mouth that prevents it from sucking up water when it nibbles or carries branches underwater. These rodents are also known for their long, strong, and sharp front teeth. They have long, sharp, strong and constantly growing incisors, hardened by a layer of dark orange enamel covering its outer surface. Thus, when the animal rubs its upper incisors against its lower incisors, the outer tip of the tooth retains the cutting edge of a chisel. A beaver with such teeth can fell very large trees. They can close their lips behind their incisors, allowing them to nibble on underwater branches.
Where does the beaver live in Canada?
Beavers are found almost everywhere in Quebec. Its habitat is always near bodies of water, preferably bordered by trees. Very good swimmers, this animal moves better in water than on land.
As rodents are animals that need to live in an aquatic environment, they have to modify their surrounding habitats by building dams that resist adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, and cold. He builds dams by strategically placing branches and logs at selected locations. He then puts mud to harden these assemblies and make them watertight.
The dam helps block the stream, creating a pond whose water level rises as the beaver reinforces and raises the dam. This high water level allows him to build a hut with a submerged entrance, giving him easier access to food such as buds, leaves, branches, fruit, and tree bark.
How does the Canadian beaver behave?
Canadian beavers are excellent swimmers, able to stay underwater for about fifteen minutes. When they feel threatened, they use their tail to slap the surface of the water and prevent others from escaping underwater. Beavers are most active at night and at dawn, and they do not hibernate. In winter, they regularly emerge from their huts to feed in the reserves, which are submerged below the frozen surface and anchored near their hut.
Beavers are very territorial animals and can be aggressive towards intruders. To mark their territory, they build mounds of fragrant slime at strategic locations. Beavers also use a substance called castoreum, which is produced by pear-shaped glands near their anus. Both male and female beavers can secrete this musky substance. This fragrant product allows beavers to communicate with each other and successfully defend their territory.
How is the beaver the emblem of Canada?
The beaver has always been an important food source for Canadian Indigenous peoples, and its cultural significance is highlighted in Indigenous mythology and oral traditions. European settlers quickly learned of the existence of this iconic animal upon their arrival, and from 1534 Jacques Cartier began trading in its furs. An Iroquois village called Hochelaga, now in Montreal, was visited by Cartier two years later. The name "Montreal" is derived from a variation of the Aboriginal word "Osheaga", which means "great rapids" or "Osekare", which means "beaver trail". In recognition of its role in the history and development of Canada, the beaver has become a national symbol of Canada. It appears on the coats of arms of Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as over 1,000 place names across the country. In addition, this remarkable animal appears on the first Canadian postage stamp in 1851 and on the 5 cent coin, which has been in circulation since 1937, created by GE Kruger.
The beaver was chosen as the national emblem of Canada in 17th century because of its abundant fur, which was the key element of the North American fur trade. This commercial activity was Europe's first interest in the region. At 17th century, felt hats made with beaver down were considered a symbol of prestige, which increased the value of the fur. From the search for beaver pelts in the Maritimes to the Mackenzie Valley, exploitation of this resource has been possible across vast areas of North America. It has been estimated that there were around 6 million beavers in what is now Canada at the start of the fur trade. However, in the mid-19th century, the demand for beaver fur plummeted, threatening the existence of the species. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, beavers are once again found across Canada.
Beavers are the only non-human mammals that intentionally modify their environment. Although sometimes disruptive of human activity, this animal remains an important species for the conservation of biodiversity in Quebec. The beaver is also a powerful symbol of Canadian identity, representing the intelligence, hard work, perseverance of the Canadian people as well as the sovereignty of the country. That's why the image of this iconic mammal appears on the Canadian five-cent coin. Beavers are therefore fascinating creatures that arouse both interest and admiration for their ecological significance and cultural significance.
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