Castor canadensis. Photographer: Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles, 1963, Dos Palos, Merced County, CA. Copyright © 1999 California Academy of Sciences.
Beavers are essentially nocturnal animals, but occasionally are seen during daylight hours. They do not hibernate, but can remain lethargic for a time and live off their body fat (Walker, 1983). Populations of beavers are separated into colonies of about four to eight related individuals. Mating pairs of adults are seemingly monogamous, and the female appears to be dominant over the male and young. The young attain sexual maturity at about 1.5 years of age, at which time the parents use aggressive behavior to force them out of the colony. Castor communicates through tail slapping, scent marking, postures, and various vocalizations. Territorial behavior is maintained by both the female and male, who will threaten and fight intruders or other conspecifics (Walker, 1983).
Walker, E.P. 1983. Mammals of the World (4th Edition). The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 560-563 pp.
Heather Jasso, March 2000.
Last Update: 30 Jan 2008