Fur trade Reference Libraries

The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is a species that can be found in the northern Pacific. It is also known as Steller's sea lion or the northern sea lion and is the only member of its genus, Eumetopias. Its range stretches from Gulf of Alaska to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril Islands in Russia. Its southern range includes Año Nuevo Island near California. Although it once bred as far...

The Muskrat or Musquash, Ondatra zibethicus, is a large aquatic rodent native to North America (Alaska, Canada, United States, northern Mexico), and has been introduced in parts of Europe. In the Mid-Atlantic states it is nicknamed "˜Swamp Bunny'. Muskrats live in wetlands such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and river banks. Adult muskrats weigh up to 3.75 pounds. Adult body length is usually...

The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a large otter native to the North Pacific, from northern Japan and Kamchatka east across the Aleutian Islands south to California. The heaviest of the otters, sea otters are the only species within the genus Enhydra. They were hunted extensively for their luxurious fur. Its estimated that a half million to a million otters were killed over time. The...

The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is a large semi-aquatic rodent native to Canada. Also it is native to most of the United States and parts of northern Mexico. Its fur is dark brown. It has a rounded head, a large flat paddle-shaped tail and webbed hind feet. The unwebbed front paws are smaller, with claws. This is the largest rodent found in North America and the second largest...

Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America and Europe. They are the only living members of the family Castoridae. Genetic research has shown the European and North American beaver populations to be distinct species and that hybridization is unlikely. General Beavers are best known for their natural trait of building dams in rivers and streams. They build their homes in the...

The Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is a primitive rodent unrelated to beavers and not usually found in mountain areas. It has several common names including Aplodontia, Sewellel, Boomer, Ground Bear, and Giant Mole. This species is the only member of its genus, Aplodontia, and family, Aplodontiidae. Characteristics Mountain Beavers are brown in color, but fur can range from slightly...