The North American Beaver: A Keystone Species and A Great Architect of the West

The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is a keystone species inhabiting the Valley Floor and the San Miguel River. Four million beavers once lived in this country. These architects of the West are an exceedingly important component in shaping the ecosystem of the entire North America continent. The beaver has fascinating and unusual behaviors including taking down huge trees for forage and caprophagia (eating their feces). Beavers can even help fight climate change. This entry of Voices of the Valley Floor-a and Fauna covers all of these intrigues and more!

Photo: North America Beaver (Castor canadensis) Mountain Village Photo Credit: Eric Hynes