The American beaver, an iconic animal of New York

The American Beaver in New York’s History

• Did you know that New York owes much to the beaver? Its fur was highly prized, which partly explains why Dutch colonists first arrived on the island of “Manna-Hata” in 1625. Look at New York’s official seal: you’ll see a beaver alongside a Native American and a colonist. The seal’s history is one of the highlights of a walking tour through Lower Manhattan.
• In the 17th century, the beaver fur trade boomed: up to 80,000 pelts were shipped each year to the Netherlands from New Amsterdam, as New York was then called. Beaver fur was widely used to make hats and headwear.

What’s the Difference Between the American Beaver and the European Beaver?

• Here’s a simple answer: the American beaver speaks English, the other doesn’t. 🙂 In all seriousness, the difference lies in their chromosomes. The American beaver has 40 chromosomes, while its Eurasian cousin has 48.
• At first glance, this doesn’t result in major visible differences, except in their secretions. The American beaver is also the largest found in the United States, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

The North American Beaver: A Semi-Aquatic Animal

• This large rodent is remarkably versatile, thanks to how its front and hind legs work together. On land, it uses its teeth to fell trees and strip branches to build dams. With its small front paws, it gathers stones and mud to reinforce its artificial banks. Its flat tail and webbed hind feet let it navigate upstream to position its dams and burrows.
• Even more impressive: it can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes without a break! The beaver also has transparent eyelids, allowing it to see underwater. Pretty handy.

Impressive Construction Projects

• Engineer, logger, carpenter, mason—the beaver wears many hats. The American beaver can actually reshape its entire ecosystem. It can turn a river into a small pond, with its burrow accessible only through an underwater entrance. Good luck to predators like bears trying to dig it out.
• Imagine the strength of their teeth to fell trees that will become their dams. Their teeth never stop growing, so gnawing is literally a matter of survival.
• Quick question: why are beaver teeth orange? Answer: because of the iron they contain, which makes them strong.

A Well-Established Animal Across North America

• Today, you’re unlikely to spot a beaver in downtown New York, even on Beaver Street. You won’t find one in Central Park either.
• However, North America is now home to roughly 10 million wild beavers.