The young usually stay with their parents for 1-2 years and then leave to make their own homes. Behavior Beavers form monogamous pairs and usually live in family groups of up to 8 related individuals called colonies. The younger siblings stay with their parents for up to 2 years, helping with infant care, food collection, and dam building. Beaver families are territorial and defend against other families. In order to warn each other of danger, beavers slap their tails against the water, creating a powerful noise.
Beavers are primarily nocturnal.
They are only occasionally seen during the day. They usually wake at dusk. Beavers travel good distances from their homes to find food. If they find a good source, they build canals to the food source as a way to float the food back to their lodges. Logs and twigs are stored underwater for winter feeding.