Beavers (genus Castor) are large rodents native to the Northern hemisphere. There are two types of beavers: the American beaver and the Eurasian beaver. They are semi-aquatic rodents, feeding primarily on aquatic plants, twigs, leaves, and bark.
Beavers are interesting animals with many unique features and behavioral habits.
They play an important role in the ecology of many North American ecosystems, and yet there is still a lot that people don’t know about them.
Learn all about beavers’ behavior, habitat, size, and diet, along with five interesting beaver facts.
| Type | Rodent |
| Common Name | Beaver |
| Name of Young | Kits |
| Number of Species | 2 (American and Eurasian) |
| Social Behavior | Lives in family groups |
| Group Name | Colony |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Favorite Food | Aquatic plants, bark, twigs, and leaves |
| Activity Pattern | Nocturnal |
| Biggest Threat | Humans |
| Predators | Coyotes, bears, wolves, and more |
| Distribution | Northern hemisphere: North America, Europe, and Asia |
| Habitat | Freshwater habitats |
| Est. Population Size | About 15 million |
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
| Lifespan | Average lifespan of 10 to 12 in the wild and 20 years in captivity. |
5 Interesting Beaver Facts
Here are five facts about beavers that you may not know:
- Beavers are the largest rodent in North America, and can weigh up to 60 pounds.
- The average beaver lodge is made up of two main rooms, which the beavers use for different purposes like sleeping, eating, and storing food.
- Beavers have a thick fur coat that helps keep them warm in the cold water they live in. It is also covered in a special oil that repels water.
- Beavers are great swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes underwater.
- Beavers are known for their dam-building behavior. They use dams to create ponds that provide them with a safe place to live and raise their young.
Beaver Classification and Evolution
Beavers are rodents, members of the family Castoridae, which contains two extant genera: Castor (the beavers) and Aplodontia (the mountain beaver). They are the largest rodents in North America.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Castoridae |
| Subfamily | Castorinae |
| Genus | Castor |
Beavers evolved from a common ancestor with the coypu and the mountain beaver about 35 million years ago. There are two modern beaver species:
- The North American beaver (Castor canadensis)
- The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber)
Beavers are semi-aquatic creatures that live in freshwater habitats, such as lakes, rivers, and streams.
They build dams and lodges out of sticks and mud, which they use for shelter and as a base from which to forage for food.
Types of Beavers
There are two types of beavers: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber).
The North American beaver is smaller on average but has a larger maximum size. They typically weigh about 44 pounds (20 kg) but can grow up to 72 pounds (36.5 kg).
They are found in Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. North American beavers build their dams out of sticks and mud, and their lodges are typically made up of two large rooms.
The Eurasian beaver is larger than the North American beaver on average with an average weight of 47 pounds (21.3 kg). They can grow up to 66 pounds (30 kg).
They are found in Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa. Eurasian beavers build their dams out of stones and mud, and their lodges are made up of 6-8 individual rooms.
Beaver Anatomy and Appearance
Beavers are large rodents with stout bodies and large tails. They have short legs and webbed feet, which help them swim powerfully through the water. Beavers also have sharp incisor teeth that they use for gnawing on wood.
| Height/Length | 29–39 inches (74–100 cm) |
| Weight | 24–72 pounds (11–32 kg) |
| Color | Brown or black |
| Skin type | Fur |
| Tail size | 15 inches long (38 cm), 6 inches wide (15 cm), and 0.5–2 inches thick (1.2–5 cm). |
| Top speed | 5 mph in water, 4 mph on land |
Beavers have a thick coat of fur that helps keep them warm in the cold water they live in. The top layer of their fur is waterproof, which helps keep them dry even when they are submerged underwater.
They also have a layer of fat under their skin that provides additional insulation.
The beaver tail is one of the most distinctive features of this animal. It is large, flat, and covered in scales.
The tail is used as a rudder when swimming, and also serves as a storage area for fat. This fat provides energy for the beaver when food is scarce.
How Long Can Beavers Hold Their Breath?
Beavers can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes[1]. This is necessary when they are swimming underwater to escape predators or to find food.
The beaver’s ability to hold its breath for such a long time is mainly due to two adaptations:
- The beaver has very efficient lungs that extract oxygen from the air more effectively than other animals.
- The beaver has a high concentration of myoglobin in its muscles. Myoglobin is a protein that stores oxygen and releases it to the muscles when they need it.
The beaver’s myoglobin levels are so high that its muscle tissue is actually darker in color than other animals.
This extra myoglobin allows the beaver to stay underwater for longer periods of time without running out of oxygen.
Beaver Distribution and Habitat
Beavers are found in freshwater habitats, such as lakes, rivers, and streams. They build their dams and lodges in these areas and use them as a base from which to forage for food.
Beavers are found in freshwater habitats in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa.
While most people believe that beavers live in dams, this is not true. They live in lodges behind their dams.
Beavers build dams to impound water in an area to make a pond. The dam is made of sticks, logs, and mud. They then build their lodge in the pond. The lodges are made of sticks, logs, and mud, and have underwater entrances.
Beavers build their initial lodge during the first year, but they improve on it every subsequent year. They rarely move, only doing so if there’s a lack of food or an abundance of predators.
Beaver Behavior
Beavers are semi-aquatic creatures that spend most of their time in the water. They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for several minutes underwater. Beavers use their webbed feet and tails to help them swim powerfully through the water.
Beavers are territorial animals. They mark their territory with scent glands in their anal sacs. They will also release this scent when they feel threatened.
Beavers defend their territory from other animals, including other beavers.
If two beavers meet on neutral ground, they will often fight for dominance. The losing beaver will usually leave the area and find a new place to live.
As nocturnal animals, beavers are most active at night. During the day, they rest in their lodges or in burrows that they have dug out on the banks of streams and rivers.
While beavers are mostly solitary creatures, they do live in family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their young. These family groups generally stick together until the young beavers are old enough to strike out on their own.
Beaver Diet
Beavers are herbivores, and their diet consists mostly of aquatic plants. They also eat tree bark, leaves, and twigs. Beavers use their sharp teeth to fell trees, which they then use to build their dams and lodges.
Beavers generally eat whatever vegetation is available in their habitat[2]. As they live in freshwater habitats, they often feed on aquatic plants.
Aquatic plants such as water lilies, sedges, and cattails make up the majority of their diet, but they also eat tree bark, leaves, and twigs.
Beavers fell trees to use as food or building material for their dams and lodges. They will also gnaw on wood to sharpen their teeth.
Contrary to belief, beavers do not eat wood. They eat other parts of the tree (the bark, twigs, and leaves), but use the wood and trunk itself for building.
Beaver Predators and Threats
There are few animals that prey on beavers. These include predators such as coyotes, bears, and wolves. But the biggest threat to beavers is humans.
Humans have hunted beavers for their fur since the early days of North American settlement. Beaver pelts were used to make hats, coats, and other garments.
Today, beaver fur is still used in the fashion industry, but it is not as popular as it once was. As a result, the beaver populations have recovered in many areas.
Common threats to beavers include the following:
- Predation
- Disease
- Injuries
- Old age
- Humans (trapping, hunting, etc.)
Beavers are also threatened by habitat loss and pollution. Dams and lodges built by beavers can cause flooding, which damages property and disrupt the ecosystem. Beavers are sometimes killed in an effort to control this problem.
Despite these threats, beavers are doing well in North America. Their populations are stable or increasing in most areas. The same is true for European beavers, as reintroduction programs have been initiated in recent years.[3]
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Beavers reproduce sexually, and the female beaver gives birth to a litter of 2-4 kits (baby beavers) per year. The kits are born blind and helpless, and they stay with their mother for the first years of their lives.
Beavers leave their mother and find a mate of their own when they are big enough. They leave the nest when they are between two and three years old when they reach sexual maturity.
The beaver life cycle is relatively short, as most beavers only live for 5-10 years in the wild. Captive beavers have been known to live for up to 20 years.
As beavers grow older, they become less active and their fur begins to turn gray. Eventually, they die of old age, predation, or due to other causes.
Relationship With Humans
Beavers have long been hunted for their fur. In the early days of North American settlement, beaver pelts were used to make hats, coats, and other garments. Today, beaver fur is still used in the fashion industry, but it is not as popular as it once was.
Like all other wild animals, humans are the biggest threat to beavers. While they are generally not aggressive towards humans, they are still hunted because of their fur.
In recent years, there has been an increased effort to increase the beaver population, rather than hunt them.
Despite these threats, beavers play an important role in the ecosystem. They help maintain water levels, and their dams create habitats for other animals.
Beavers are also an important part of the food chain, and their role in the ecosystem makes them worth protecting.
Beaver Population and Conservation Status
Beaver populations are stable or increasing in many parts of North America. But, they are still threatened by habitat loss and pollution. Beavers are protected by law in some areas.
Beaver populations are slowly recovering in many areas[4. They still face many threats, and their future is uncertain.
Fortunately, with proper management and conservation efforts, beaver populations can rebound in many areas:
- In North America, beaver populations are generally increasing.
- In Europe, beaver populations are also stable or increasing in many countries.
- In Russia, beaver populations are thought to be stable.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the beaver as a species of “least concern”.
This does not mean that beavers are not threatened. They are still at risk from habitat loss, pollution, and disease.
Beavers have been protected by law in some areas. For example, beavers are protected in Denali National Park in Alaska. In Europe, beaver populations are protected in many countries.
FAQs
Are Beavers Herbivores?
Yes, beavers are herbivores. They are rodents, and like all rodents, their diet consists mostly of plants. They eat the leaves, twigs, and bark of trees and shrubs, as well as aquatic plants.
Where Are Beavers Found?
Beavers are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They live in areas with freshwater streams or rivers and plenty of trees. Beavers build their homes, called lodges, out of sticks and mud in these watery areas.
Do Beavers Have Webbed Feet?
Yes, beavers have webbed feet. This helps them swim better and move more easily through the water. Webbed feet are also useful for walking on soft and muddy ground. Beavers use their webbed feet to kick mud and debris behind them as they build their lodges.
How Fast Can a Beaver Swim?
Beavers are very good swimmers and can swim up to 5 mph. Their webbed feet and rudder-like tails help them move quickly through the water. Beavers often use their swimming skills to escape from predators, such as coyotes, wolves, and bears.
What Biome Do Beavers Live In?
Beavers typically live in forested Biomes. These are areas of land that are covered mostly by trees. Forested biomes can be found all over the world, from North America to Europe to Asia. Beavers need freshwater streams or rivers to build their lodges, so they typically live near these water sources.
Are Beavers Rodents?
Yes, beavers are rodents. Rodents are a type of mammal that includes mice, rats, squirrels, and other small animals. Beavers are the largest rodents in North America. They can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 60 pounds.
How Many Species of Beavers Are There?
There are two species of beaver: the American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the European beaver (Castor fiber). The American beaver is native to North America, while the European beaver is found in Europe and Asia.
What Do Beavers Eat?
Beavers eat plants as they are herbivores. Beavers eat the leaves, twigs, and bark of trees and shrubs, as well as aquatic plants.
How Do Beavers Get Their Food?
Beavers use their sharp teeth to gnaw on the bark of trees and shrubs. They also eat aquatic plants that they find in streams and rivers while swimming.
How Strong is a Beaver’s Bite?
Beavers have very sharp teeth that they use to gnaw on wood. Their teeth are so sharp that they can cut through tree trunks. Beavers also have a strong bite. They can exert up to 180 pounds of force per square inch with their teeth. In comparison, humans can only exert about 88 pounds of force per square inch.
What Do Beavers Use Their Tail For?
Beavers have a flat, paddle-shaped tail that they use for swimming and balancing. When beavers are swimming, they use their tails to help them move through the water. They also use their tails to prop themselves up when they’re working on their lodges.
Do Beavers Hibernate?
No, beavers do not hibernate. Hibernation is a period of inactivity that some animals undergo during the winter months. During hibernation, animals lower their body temperature and heart rate to conserve energy. Beavers do not lower their body temperature or heart rate, so they do not hibernate.
Do Beavers Mate For Life?
Yes, beavers mate for life. Once a beaver finds a mate, it will stay with that mate for the rest of its life. Beavers mature when they are about two years old.
