. The Canadian field-naturalist. April, 1936] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 65 t^' â /. rf^^Vl. Jk'^f,-***'^'! 3^- ^ *Si',>f^p'<f / '-Soy * , Lodge at Site No. 2, September Z3rd, 1933. Note the loose material placed about the apex and the food pile in the water to the right. Photograph by H. U. Green. small branches, is conveyed to the lodge for consumption. The other tunnels, too, are un- doubtedly constructed to serve the special pur- pose of emergency exits when a hurried depar- ture of the inmates becomes necessary with the least possible delay. A beaver lodge is generally described
. The Canadian field-naturalist. April, 1936] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 65 t^' â /. rf^^Vl. Jk'^f,-***'^'! 3^- ^ *Si',>f^p'<f / '-Soy * , Lodge at Site No. 2, September Z3rd, 1933. Note the loose material placed about the apex and the food pile in the water to the right. Photograph by H. U. Green. small branches, is conveyed to the lodge for consumption. The other tunnels, too, are un- doubtedly constructed to serve the special pur- pose of emergency exits when a hurried depar- ture of the inmates becomes necessary with the least possible delay. A beaver lodge is generally described as a conical mass of woody material plastered with mud and fibrous debris, but I think it may per- haps be said that the structure is a mass of hardened muck reinforced with woody material to give shape and strength. Judging from the old lodges demolished it would appear that the amount of mud and fibrous debris is about pro- portional to the bulk of sticks and twigs. The presence of so much soft material baked by the sun undoubtedly keeps the interior free from trickling leaks during heavy rains. It is also absorbent, keeping the interior of the lodge cool in hot weather and assures sufficient moisture in the mass at freezeup so that the walls may become almost like concrete when filled with frost. For the reason that the size of a lodge, if occupied by beavers, increases with age the in- side walls of the interior can be trimmed back and the "room" enlarged. This occurred at Site No. 3 in the autumn of 1932 without en- dangering the occupants from outside influences. The average maximum thickness of the walls of 19 old lodges examined was inches. It would seem that the "island" lodge is the preferred style of habitation for beavers on the Riding Mountain range as only two "bank" lodges were located, one quite old and unoccupied, and the other at Site No. 1. The construction of a "bank" lodge is similar in every detail to a lodge b
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