Canadian beaver vs rufescent pika

Castor canadensis compared with Ochotona rufescens

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while rufescent pika is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	rufescent pika
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lagomorpha (Rabbits & Hares)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Ochotonidae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Ochotona
Species	Castor canadensis	Ochotona rufescens

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

rufescent pika

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	rufescent pika
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).

rufescent pika

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.