Safety note: Do not approach beavers — they bite when threatened.
The North American Beaver is the largest rodent in North America and a legendary ecosystem engineer. Dams reshape entire watersheds, creating wetland habitat used by hundreds of other species.
Habitat
Wooded streams, rivers, ponds, and lake margins
Diet
Bark, twigs, and aquatic vegetation — especially aspen and willow
How common
Uncommon
Best time to see a North American Beaver
The best time to see a North American Beaver is January–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 50,685 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Not certain it is a North American Beaver? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent North American Beaver sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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5,300+species
63national parks
50states
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