The beaver, Canada’s national animal, have some unusual characteristics. One unusual fact about beavers is their large size. The beaver is the largest rodent in North America, weighing from 13

to 35 kg. It spend a lot of time in the water,so its feet is large and webbed for swimming. The beaver's tail which is wide and flat like a paddle also helps it to swim. Thick underfur keep the beaver warm and dry, even in very cold water. In fact, beavers have been known to stay under water in icy ponds for as long as fifteen minutes. Beavers also has long teeth which grows all their lives. They use these powerful teeth to cut down trees which they use for food and shelter. Another unusual fact about the beaver is that it is one of the few animals that change its own environment. Beavers create ponds by building dams with roots, sticks, mud and stones. Each family of beavers build a lodge,or nest, in a riverbank or in the middle of a pond. They build an underwater entrance to the lodge. Having the entrance underwater protects them from their enemies. Beavers is also very social animals. They not only communicate with each other by making sounds with their mouths but also by slapping their big flat tails on the water. The beaver's social life is complex and focus around the female. These very special animals are found in every province in Canada.