North American beaver (Castor canadensis)

The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is a large, semi-aquatic rodent known for its exceptional engineering skills. It builds complex dams and lodges using trees, branches, mud, and stones, creating ponds that provide safety from predators and access to food. Beavers are herbivores, primarily feeding on tree bark, leaves, and aquatic plants. They play a crucial role in ecosystem health by creating wetlands, which support diverse wildlife, improve water quality, and help control erosion. Beavers are essential ecosystem engineers, shaping their environment in ways that benefit many other species.