Colorado’s sub-alpine environment consists of a diversity of habitats. Dense aspen forests give way to wide open meadows. Nearby, a serene mountain pond gives new life to a variety of plants and animals. One may question why that meadow is even there in the first place. It’s surrounded by trees, nobody appears to have logged the area, and just how did that pond occur there? Is it another natural phenomenon? Nope! Just the natural work of North America'a largest native rodent, the American beaver!
The American beaver is nature’s rodent landscaper. Many of the high alpine ponds and meadows that exist today are the work of generations upon generations of beavers. Over decades, they fell trees in suitable areas, building their dams and lodges, thereby creating or enlarging wetlands. These wetlands help control soil erosion, purify water, and add to the very important diversity in the mountainous landscapes. In fact, beavers are considered a keystone species of wetlands. Without them, a lot of wetland habitat would not exist.
The beaver is 'built' for life in the water. They have webbed feet that are ideal for swimming, and a nictitating membrane (a transparent or translucent 'eyelid' that can 'blink') that covers their eyes while underwater—like built in goggles.
This swimming rodent is also very dedicated to its partner: Beavers mate for life! These highly social animals live in colonies, and their lodges house their immediate families. Mom and dad have 3 to 4 kits; the kits will stay with their parents for approximately 2 years.
Beavers dams can be a magnificent site. The longest dam ever recorded was in Alberta, Canada, and measured 2,790 feet long! Beaver dams can be found measuring up to 10 feet in height, and are the product of generations upon generations of busy-beavers.
These dams serve as protection from predators and for collection and storage of food. Beavers have special digestive enzymes that allow them to eat tree bark. They’re especially fond of aspen trees, each beaver felling an aspen tree every other day on average. A pond near an aspen forest is a great place to start looking for beavers. Along with tree bark, beavers will eat roots, buds, and other water plants.