Beavers are North America’s largest rodent. Adults usually weigh 40-60 lbs. Beavers are aquatic living in rivers, lakes, ponds and any wetlands including urban environments. Depending on the habitat resources, established beaver colonies usually consist of 8-13 individuals. Beavers eat aquatic vegetation, bark and the cambium layer of trees. Beavers prefer young green tree branches and trunks for feeding, while larger limbs are used for dam material.
Beavers will feed on decorative trees and shrubs in yards. Beavers will readily “girdle” and kill healthy desirable trees. Beavers have the ability to drastically alter their environment. Often this is detrimental causing flooding of roads, structures and property. Additional concerns are falling trees and erosion.
