Evidence of Beavers

Evidence on a tree shows that beavers have chewed it to build a dam. Beavers create dams, making them their own beaver lodges, to protect themselves from predators. These dams can also help with erosion and flooding. 

How does a beaver make its den and how does it keep the beaver safe?

• How do beavers get the logs to the water?
• Do they use a certain type of tree?
• Do they eat the tree?
• How big do they make their dens?

Students could:

• Build a model of a dam.
• Research a beaver’s habitat and where we would find them in Iowa.
• Research what kind of trees beavers use and if it matters.

• PBS LearningMedia | Animals: Beavers: The beaver is often referred to as nature's own engineer. This video focuses on the beaver's ability to transform its environment to suit itself. The beaver does so with an innate ability to construct dams—a feat that no creature apart from humans is able to achieve.
• PBS LearningMedia | Nature: Hardworking Builders: These resources from Nature: Leave it to Beavers explore beavers’ physical characteristics and how they fell trees and build dams.