Canadian beaver vs European hamster

Castor canadensis compared with Cricetus cricetus

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while European hamster is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	European hamster
Kingdom same	Animalia (hewan)	Animalia (hewan)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mamalia)	Mammalia (mamalia)
Order same	Rodentia (hewan pengerat)	Rodentia (hewan pengerat)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Cricetidae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Cricetus
Species	Castor canadensis	Cricetus cricetus

Evolutionary Relationship

Canadian beaver and European hamster share a common ancestor at the Order level: Rodentia. (hewan pengerat)

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

European hamster

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	European hamster
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).

European hamster

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 8 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Russia, and Ukraine. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇷🇺 Russia 🇺🇦 Ukraine