Canadian beaver vs Ghost shark

Castor canadensis compared with Hydrolagus mitsukurii

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while Ghost shark is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	Ghost shark
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Holocephali (Holocephali)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Chimaeriformes (Chimaeriformes)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Chimaeridae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Hydrolagus
Species	Castor canadensis	Hydrolagus mitsukurii

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Ghost shark

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

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).

Ghost shark

Habitat

Native to Asia, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Taiwan. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.