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The Beaver
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 Beavers are the largest rodents in North
America. These engineers build a dam wherever there is running water and a
good supply of deciduous trees. A pair of beavers can build a dam in 3-4
days. The dam creates a rich habitat for plants and animals.
 Once the
beavers leave their dam, the water drains away and leaves behind lovely
rich soil, which becomes a meadow. A beaver can cut through a 12cm (5in)
thick tree in 3 minutes. The thickest tree ever recorded cut by a beaver
is 1.2m (4ft). They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for
15 minutes. In 1975 the beaver became officially recognized as Canada’s
National symbol as the country was explored and developed on the deaths of
millions and millions of beavers. There were an estimated six million
beavers in Canada before the start of the fur trade, but it was close to
extinction by the mid-19th century.
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