Social Structure, Reproduction, & Development

Roles in Community: Beavers benefit their surrounding community by creating, maintaining, and changing nearby habitats. they benefit the biodiversity of the surrounding area

Leaders:  Both the male dominant male and dominant female lead the group (breeding pair)

Group makeup: Each group is made up of one breeding pair, the kits, yearlings, and sometimes a few younger adults

Interactions: Beavers communicate with each other using vocalizations and tail slapping. vocalizations are used to bed for food, or initiate grooming or play

How many mates?: Beavers are monogamous and mate with one partner for life

How often?: Beavers mate after turning 2-3 years old, and mate once per year

Mating season: Females become pregnant in the winter and give birth during early summer

Mating rituals: The female lets the male know when she is ready to mate by excreting on nearby mounds. the male beaver will check the mounds frequently for signs that she is ready to breed

Number of offspring: Per litter, female beavers give birth to 2-6 kits

Stages of Development: Beavers are born with their eyes open and are covered in soft fur (called kits). at 4 days old they can swim and at 2 months old they can dive. once beavers are around 2 years old, they leave their parents and their lodge to find a mate

Maturity age: Beavers reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years old

Activities of stages: During the first summer, kits watch and learn from the older beavers. they are not yet ready to help with making a lodge or dam. in the fall, they will help to collect food. Yearlings will help their parents build the lodge and look after new kits