Beaver

Scientific Names:

North American Beaver: Castor canadensis

Eurasian Beaver: Castor fiber

Family: Castoridae

Order: Rodentia

Physical Description

Size: Adult beavers typically measure about 80 to 100 cm (31 to 39 inches) in length, not including the tail, which adds another 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches).

Weight: They typically weigh between 11 to 30 kilograms (24 to 66 pounds), with some individuals even heavier.

Appearance: Beavers have stout bodies with large heads, webbed hind feet, and flat, scaly tails. They have brown fur, which is both waterproof and insulating. Their large front teeth, which are orange due to iron-rich enamel, are adapted for cutting wood and do not stop growing.

Habitat and Distribution

Habitat: Beavers are found in freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. They are renowned for their ability to drastically alter these habitats by constructing dams.

Distribution:

North American Beaver: Found throughout North America, from the northern parts of Canada down to the southern United States.

Eurasian Beaver: Originally found across much of Europe and Asia, though its range was greatly reduced due to hunting. Reintroduction efforts have been somewhat successful in restoring populations.

Behavior

Diet: Beavers are herbivorous, feeding primarily on the bark, cambium, and leaves of trees, as well as aquatic plants.

Social Structure: Beavers are highly social and live in family units called colonies, which are typically made up of the adult breeding pair, current year's kits, and the previous year's offspring.

Reproduction: Beavers are monogamous and breed once a year, typically producing a litter of one to four kits. The kits stay with their parents for up to two years.

Conservation Status

Threats: The main threats to beavers historically have been hunting and habitat loss. They were hunted extensively for their fur and castoreum, a secretion used in perfumes and medicines.

Conservation: The North American beaver is currently listed as least concern due to stable population sizes, while the Eurasian beaver has been the focus of numerous successful reintroduction programs across Europe.

Ecological Role

Environmental Impact: Beaver dams help to retain water in dry periods, reduce the speed of water flow, and increase the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. These wetlands can help mitigate flooding, purify water by filtering out sediments and pollutants, and serve as vital habitats for many species.

Interesting Facts

Beavers use their tails to slap the water as a warning signal when they sense danger.

The lodges they build, like their dams, are made from branches and mud. The lodges have underwater entrances, which make them secure against predators.

Beavers can remain underwater for up to 15 minutes due to their ability to control heart rate and oxygen use.