Blacktail spurdog vs Canadian beaver

Squalus melanurus compared with Castor canadensis

Key Differences

• Blacktail spurdog is Data Deficient while Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blacktail spurdog	Canadian beaver
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Squaliformes (Squaliformes)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Squalidae	Castoridae (Beavers)
Genus	Squalus	Castor (Beavers)
Species	Squalus melanurus	Castor canadensis

Evolutionary Relationship

Blacktail spurdog and Canadian beaver share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Blacktail spurdog

DD — Data Deficient

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Blacktail spurdog	Canadian beaver
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	25.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blacktail spurdog

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).

Blacktail spurdog

The Blacktail spurdog (Squalus melanurus) is a species in the genus Squalus. It is currently classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

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.