Beaver (Castor canadensis) are known to be the largest rodents found in North America and Canada. Beaver normally scent-mark by depositing castoreum and/or anal gland secretion on scent mounds close to the water's edge. This is commonly believed to be a means of territory defense. These mounds seem to be more abundant in the spring when dispersal of subadults normally occur than during the rest of the year. The number of scent marks seem significantly greater upstream than downstream of the lodge. Beaver spend most of their time underwater. When on land, their movements are clumsy and far from elegant. Short legs and a heavy, rocket-like body are poor equipment to make a good runner or climber. One of the most prominent of its features is its sharp teeth which are about one inch long and grow throughout the whole life of the animal. Beavers feed mainly on what they can find in their habitat which includes vegetarian food such as aspen, willow, cottonwood, leaves, apples, crops and similar fare. Beavers are considered a 'cornerstone species' since they change the habitat they live in like no other animal. Hardwick, MA. USA. Spring. Wild.