Rodents

Beaudry Park

Beaudry Park is a small Provincial Park on the Manitoba prairie just west of Winnipeg. The Assiniboine River rambles through here and this is a great place to go walking in the summer or cross-country skiing in the winter. The park supports many varieties of birds and small mammals. Beaver and muskrats can be seen swimming in the river. It’s a nice place to go if you just want to get out of the city for a while as it is only about 10 minutes from the perimiter. Today is another cute critter, the Thirteen Striped Ground Squirrel. This little fellow was busy stuffing his cheeks with fresh grass but never far away from one of his escape routes. There were numerous holes in the ground. The first photo shows the striping on the back of the squirrel.

Below:  Ground Squirrel peeking out of burrow . . .  Was I still there ?

Enjoy !

~Sharon

Woodchuck or Groundhog ? Actually it is one and the same and can be called by either name. Woodchucks are one of the larger members of the rodent family and like the beaver, its teeth grow continually. Unlike the beaver, woodchucks prefer drier areas where greens are abundant. The colours vary from  albino to black but are usually shades of brown. Woodchucks are characterized by their black feet. They are burrowing animals with long front claws and strong hind legs used for digging. When not sunning themselves they are foraging for greens. Usually a litter of four young are produced and can be seen in May.

The beaver is able to see as well  under the  water as it can on land and is a graceful and strong swimmer.    It builds impressive dams, canals and lodges.  A beaver mates for life and the female is the central figure in the family units.  Beavers are continually grooming their dense brown fur. The beaver’s teeth continuously grow and they are capable of cutting down very large trees, preferring birch, poplar, trembling aspen and willow. Beavers are a member of the rodent family.   A litter of three or four kits is born in May or June. Beavers will slap their large broad tail on the water when alarmed signalling  danger.  Beavers are most active from dusk till dawn.   They make a lot of communication noises and if you are lucky enough to be able to sit and watch them you would be amazed at the loud chewing and grunting sounds they do make. Beavers played an important role in Canadian history during the fur trade era.

The beaver below was standing up on shore pulling down on some branches.

Beaver Swimming . . .

Enjoy

~Sharon