American black bear vs Canadian beaver

Ursus americanus compared with Castor canadensis

Key Differences

• American black bear is Least Concern while Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	American black bear	Canadian beaver
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Ursidae (Bears)	Castoridae (Beavers)
Genus	Ursus (Bears)	Castor (Beavers)
Species	Ursus americanus	Castor canadensis

Evolutionary Relationship

American black bear and Canadian beaver share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

American black bear

LC — Least Concern

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	American black bear	Canadian beaver
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	25.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

American black bear

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

Canadian beaver

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (15 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Argentina, Chile).

American black bear

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is a species in the genus Ursus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Canadian beaver

The largest rodent in North America, Canadian beavers weigh up to 32 kg and are master ecosystem engineers inhabiting rivers, lakes, and wetlands across Canada and the northern United States. By felling trees and constructing dams up to hundreds of meters long, beavers create ponds that provide habitat for hundreds of species. Their lodges and canals transform entire watersheds. Once nearly hunted to extinction for their fur, beaver populations have recovered strongly.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇺🇸 United States