To see a beaver in the wild is to glimpse at our nation's history and character, for no other species can lay claim to shaping Canada like the steadfastly industrious beaver! Its flat tail and rounded shape make Castor canadensis instantly recognizable, while its activities often alter the landscape around many of our lakes and waterways. More importantly, its once-coveted pelt steered the course of early Canadian history, when the fur trade was the main commercial enterprise and the driving force behind European exploration of this land.