Color phases of beaver are usually fairly predictable. What does change however is the overall size of the animal, the thickness of the pelt, and the thickness of the leather or hide. Their fur ranges from red to black, black being the most common or prime. Red is common to a beaver, adult or juvenile in the off season, then darkens or blackens, if you will, as the hide primes up in the fall and winter months. This may vary according to region. Here in Northern Ontario this is the typical situation, whereas beaver living in southern climates such as yours may experience the darker furs for a shorter period of time as a result of longer daylight hours.