The American beaver is the largest rodent in the United States, growing from two to three feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) long, not including the tail. They have dark-brown waterproof fur and webbed feet. Beaver teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and beavers must gnaw on trees to keep their teeth from getting too long. Thick layers of enamel on their teeth give them an orange color.
Beavers live in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams throughout the continental United States, except in the desert areas of the Southwest. Beavers are well known for their ability to build dams. They are one of the few animals that can actively change an ecosystem by blocking rivers and streams with trees and mud, creating new lakes, ponds, and floodplains.
Beavers also build homes called lodges out of branches and mud, which can often only be accessed from underwater entrances in the ponds.
You can see many trees that the Beavers have gnawed on as you float the river.