The beaver is a large, semi-aquatic rodent with a large, flattened tail. The beaver can swim underwater for up to 15 minutes. Young beavers are called kits. Beavers live in forests in North America and in parts of Europe and Asia. Beavers do not hibernate over winter, but they will stay in their lodge, where they have stored enough food to last until spring.
Beavers build sophisticated lodges out of sticks and mud.
The dome-shaped lodge is built in water and only has underwater entrances. The dam forms a deep pond. Beavers cut down trees for the dam using their strong teeth. The water in the pond must be deep enough so that the pond bottom won't freeze in winter, blocking the lodge's entrance. Like all rodents, their teeth continue to grow their entire lives.