American Beaver
(Castor canadensis)
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There are beaver in Whites Creek and the first sign of beaver in the wetland was trees that had been gnawed or felled. Beavers gnaw bark from the trees for food and fell trees for food as well as for building dams and lodges. The beaver lodge here is about 6 feet high and situated near the middle of the wetland. There has also been dam building activity that has raised the water level.

Beavers are mostly nocturnal. Willow and maple are among beaver's favorite tree species for both food and for construction and these are plentiful at this wetland. Trees are felled by gnawing and biting around the trunk. A 5-inch diameter tree can be felled in 3 minutes.