Beavers are considered to be nuisances by many people. There is a constant battle between humans and beavers. Beavers work hard at cutting timber and building dams to flood habitat and loggers work hard at getting rid of them. Beavers also carry a protozoan called giardia. Giardia is carried in the intestines of rodents.
Humans can get giardia by drinking water that has been contaminated.
Beavers and Fur Trade Exploration of the new world developed from fur trade. The Indians and settlers of North America considered the beaver pelt to be valuable. A pelt is the skin of an animal. Twelve beaver pelts could be traded for a rifle. One pelt could be traded for 4 pounds of shot or a pound of tobacco.