Big enough to aggressively slap its tail on our approach, rather than quietly slipping out of the way.   Big enough to cut down and transport trees as much as 30 inches in diameter.  Big enough to build dams more than 12 feet high.

According to LiveScience, the typical American  beaver (Castor canadensis) weighs 60 pounds and is 23 to 39 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) long. The tail adds another 7.75 to 12 inches (20 to 30.5 cm) to its length,

A beaver is big enough to change an entire landscape.  It is big enough to want to defend its territory against humans.  It is big enough to be North America’s largest rodent.