North American Beaverアメリカビーバー

Castor canadensisLC— Least Concern

The North American beaver is the continent's largest rodent, famous for building dams and lodges from branches, mud, and stones that reshape entire waterways. As a keystone species, its engineering creates wetlands that support a wide range of other wildlife. Once nearly wiped out by the fur trade, beaver populations have recovered substantially under conservation management and the species is classified as Least Concern.

North American Beaver (reference photo)
Photo: Ryan Hodnett / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Rodentia / Castoridae Source
Size
Body length 74–90 cm (plus a further 20–35 cm including the tail)
Weight
Average about 20 kg (range 11–32 kg)
Lifespan
Wild: 10–15 years / captive: record of 25 years
Diet
Herbivore Herbivorous, preferring poplar and feeding mainly on the bark of birch, maple, willow, alder, and other trees; also eats aquatic plants in spring
Activity
Mainly nocturnal
Distribution
Native to North America from southern Alaska through Canada and the continental United States to northern Mexico, with introduced populations in Patagonia, Finland, and Karelia. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • The largest known beaver dam, discovered via satellite imagery in 2007 in Alberta, Canada, measures about 850 meters (2,790 ft) long. Source
  • As a keystone species, beavers create wetlands and ponds that boost biodiversity for aquatic plants, insects, fish, and birds. Source
  • Once numbering 100–200 million before the fur trade decimated the species, populations have rebounded to an estimated 10–15 million through conservation efforts. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 12

Utsunomiya DoubutsuenTochigiAbout 5 minutes from the Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway; free parking for 1,000 cars.

Source

Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi PrefectureKochiA 20-minute walk or 13-minute rental-bicycle ride from Noichi Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line.

Source

Sapporoshimaruyama DoubutsuenHokkaidoOpened in 1951

Source

Saikaikokuritsu Kouen Kujuukushima DoushokubutsuenNagasakiOpened in 1961

Source

Chiba Zoological ParkChibaOpened in 1985

Source

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

Source

TOBU ZOOSaitamaFrom Tobu-Dobutsu-Koen Station (west exit), about 10 minutes on foot (600 m) or about 5 minutes by bus.

Source

Hitachishikamine DoubutsuenIbarakiAbout 5 minutes from the Hitachi-Chuo Interchange on the Joban Expressway via National Route 6.

Source

Iida Shiritsu DoubutsuenNaganoAddress: 33 Ogimachi, Iida, Nagano.

Source

Hamamatsu Zoological GardensShizuokaOpened in 1950

Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

Source

Wakayamajou Kouen DoubutsuenWakayamaOpened in 1919

Source

Former facilities

North Safari SapporoHokkaidoOpened in 2005

Source

Closed: 2025-09-30 Official Site

Latest news

6

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why do beavers build dams?
Beavers build dams to raise water levels around their lodges, creating a safe, predator-resistant pond and easier access to food and building material. Source
How big can a beaver dam get?
The largest known beaver dam, found in Alberta, Canada via satellite imagery in 2007, stretches roughly 850 meters — more than half a mile long. Source
Do beavers eat fish?
No. Beavers are strict herbivores that feed on bark, twigs, and aquatic plants; despite their aquatic lifestyle, fish are not part of their diet. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 12 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org