Known as the largest rodent native to Europe, it is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature. These semi-aquatic mammals boast an impressive size, with some adults weighing up to 32 kg (70 pounds) and measuring over 91 cm (36 inches) in length, not including their distinctive flat, paddle-shaped tail. This tail is not just a rudder for swimming but also serves as a fat reserve and helps in thermoregulation. Their thick brown fur coat, coupled with webbed feet, equips them superbly for an aquatic lifestyle, allowing for smooth and efficient movement through water.
Eurasian beavers are strict herbivores, relying on a diet rich in tree bark, leaves, and roots. Their preference for certain types of trees, such as willow, aspen, and birch, is not only due to their nutritional value but also because these materials are integral to their construction projects. Beavers possess powerful front teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives, enabling them to gnaw through wood to obtain food and building materials.
The engineering prowess of the Eurasian beaver is unparalleled in the animal kingdom, with their ability to transform landscapes through the construction of dams and lodges. These structures are meticulously built using mud, sticks, and branches, creating an ideal habitat that meets their needs for safety and access to food. The lodges, often with underwater entrances, serve as fortresses against predators such as wolves and lynx and as cozy shelters during the harsh winter months, maintaining an interior temperature that supports family living and breeding.
The impact of Eurasian beaver activity extends beyond their immediate survival needs. By building dams, beavers create wetlands—a critical ecosystem that supports a diverse range of species. These wetlands act as natural water purification systems, trapping sediments, improving water quality, and regulating water flow, thus mitigating flooding and drought conditions.
Distribution
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Moldova
Official estimate
Mongolia
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Official estimate
Romania
Russia
Official estimate
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Official estimate
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Official estimate
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Colony
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
