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American Beaver

American Beaver line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

American Beaver full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The American Beaver was completed on 5.21.09. I'm always happy to draw an animal from North America. I remember seeing beavers on the shores and in around the Mississippi. I often came across their handiwork in the forest - a downed tree or one they started and for some reason didn't finish. I really like the way the fur turned out and the expression on the beaver's face. The drawing is based on a photo by Anne Elliot.

Information about the American Beaver:

The American Beaver is a semi-aquatic mammal found in many areas of the US, Canada and northern Mexico. The beaver is the largest rodent in North America and the second largest in the world (the largest being the Capybara of South America.) Adult beavers usually weigh 33-77 pounds and measure around 3.3 feet in total body length. Beavers of are often active at night. They are good swimmers and spend much of their time in the water. Beavers construct "lodges" made out of logs, sticks and twigs where they live.