Beaver

Beaver in general are tsa. An adult male is tsata' or tsayiz. An adult female is tsadiyaze' or tsadiya. A beaver kit is tsachenis̲boo' or nachenis̲boo'.

A young beaver no longer a kit is tsayaz, which can also describe a small beaver. A mid-sized beaver is tsatsul, a large beaver tsati. The beaver in charge of a territory is tsacho.

A newly mated pair of beaver is k'onih'az-i. A mated beaver is tsaghus̲da.

There is a specialized verb for a beaver to slap the water with its tail. The resulting sound is described by the verb chehoolt'ah.

A beaver dam is nant'ul or lht'alh. Any dam, including a beaver dam, is 'ulh.A beaver lodge is tsaken, the runway from lodge to land 'utsut. When two beaver lodges are built close together behind one dam the compound is called lht'azutnai. A beaver pond is tsa una-un.

A beaver trail is tsatatugus or tsati. A beaver trail under the ice, which skilled hunters can detect, is called tsata'ti or tsanutiwhulh'a. Beaver tracks are tsak'oh. A beaver chip nadilghaz.

Beaver meat in general is tsat̲s̲ung. Half-dried beaver meat is tsak'ai. Smoked meat, especially smoked beaver meat, is kayooniz̲ts'i. Beaver castor is tsazo. A beaver pelt is tsaz̲uz̲, the fur is tsagha, and the tail is tsache. The bones are tsat̲s̲'un. Beaver bones are not to be disposed of like the bones of other animals. They must not be buried, burned, or given to the dogs. They must be returned to the water.

There are some specialized terms for the equipment used in taking beaver. A beaver harpoon is 'udat̲s̲'un. A beaver snare, set under the ice is tsambilh. A beaver stick is tsayilhchun, the spring of beaver trap tsayilhk'i.

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