Maude Watts lived in James Bay. Her husband worked for the Hudson Bay Company. Maude knew that if something wasn't done, the beaver would vanish forever. She pleaded with the Quebec government for a beaver reserve. In 1921, she got a lease for a beaver reserve. It consisted of 7, 200 square miles. Because of Maude, the beaver populations began to grow again. By 1951, the government had set aside 187,100 square miles across the country for beaver reserves.
The beaver makes its home in every Canadian province. It lives in woods and forests near lakes, streams and rivers. The beaver's ancestors were giant beavers that lived in North America during the Pleistocene ice age.
Beavers are awkward on land, but very skilled in the water. It has a leathery tail with scales and a bit of coarse hair. An adult beaver's tail can measure 17 centimeters (71/2 inches) wide and 43/4 (2 inches) thick. The tail acts as a rudder (steering device) in the water.
If a beaver senses danger, it will slap the water with its tail. This warns other beaver in the area that danger lurks nearby. The sound is very loud and sounds much like a gun being fired.
A beaver's tail works as a prop when the animal is sitting or standing upright on land. It helps the beaver keep its balance when it's moving stones, branches and mud to build homes and dams.
The beaver's back feet are large and webbed. They have five toes. The front feet are small, webbed and have long claws for digging. Beavers use their long, front claws to groom their fut.
Beaver's teeth are long and sharp. These animals can cut through large trees with their incisors (teeth.)
Beavers mate for life. In May or June, three or four kits are born. Kits are born with thick fur coats and sharp teeth. They can see, walk and swim as soon as they are born.
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