Canadian beaver vs Opal chimaera

Castor canadensis compared with Chimaera opalescens

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while Opal chimaera is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	Opal chimaera
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)	Chimaera
Species	Castor canadensis	Chimaera opalescens

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Opal chimaera

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	Opal chimaera
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).

Opal chimaera

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.