Movements and Activities of Beavers, Castor canadensis, on Sagehen Creek, California

MASTERS THESIS: The purpose of this research was to study the short term movement and activity patterns of two beaver colonies at Sagehen Creek, California. The daytime resting behavior and lenght of activity period were also studied. Radio, tracking, oberservations and live trapping were the methods used to collect the data. Notes on colony composition, area and a comparison of movement and activity patterns between adults and juveniles within a colony were recorded. The two colonies were compared as to area, composition and general activity patterns. The mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles associated with each colony were also noted. An assessment of the use of radio-tracking as a method in the study of beaver ecology was also considered.