Canadian beaver vs Ornate Cuscus

Castor canadensis compared with Phalanger ornatus

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while Ornate Cuscus is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	Ornate Cuscus
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Diprotodontia (Marsupials)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Phalangeridae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Phalanger
Species	Castor canadensis	Phalanger ornatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Canadian beaver and Ornate Cuscus share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Ornate Cuscus

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	Ornate Cuscus
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).

Ornate Cuscus

Habitat

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.