Beaver

Castor canadensis

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFE01010
Common Name: 
Beaver
Scientific Name: 
Castor canadensis
Naming References: 
W020
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Castoridae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Around 21 months
References: 
B113

Longevity

12 years
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearers, create habitat for waterfowl and fish, food.
References: 
B112
Habitat
Slow-flowing streams, lakes, rivers, and marshes.
References: 
B001
H116
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B113

Distribution

68% of the NWT, expanding in the Mackenzie Delta.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B113

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
H110
H111
Population

Population Size

Annual harvest data = 1,200 to 3,500 in 1990s. Total numbers unknown, but >10,000 (H116).
Score: 
F = 1
References: 
H116
R120

Density

0.1 to 0.4 active lodges per km of prime river habitat; 26 to 58 lodges per 100 sq km.
Trends

Trends

Increasing in Sahtu (H111) and the Beaufort Delta (H110).
Score: 
GH =
References: 
H110
H111
Threats

Threats

Have been over-harvested in past and quotas had to be imposed (H111). Rapid rise in water levels = destroys lodges and/or drown beavers. Disease (tularemia).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B112
H111
R083

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Forestry and water pollution.
Score: 
-
References: 
B112
H111
R083
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Economic Status

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Ecozones

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Young DA, Kerr DS, and Weber MA (1984) Beaver and muskrat investigations: fall, 1983. Environmental Management Associates RWED Library Call #QL737.R6Y68 - R083 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Naming

  • Nature Serve: An online encyclopedia of life (web application) (2004) Version 4.0 (01 July 2004). Arlington Virginia USA. Association for Biodiversity Information.. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?init=Species - W020 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Range Extent

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Young DA, Kerr DS, and Weber MA (1984) Beaver and muskrat investigations: fall, 1983. Environmental Management Associates RWED Library Call #QL737.R6Y68 - R083 Return