Eurasian beaver

The furry flat-tailed mammal that builds its own aquatic empire

Nasser Halaweh


Eurasian beaver

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The furry flat-tailed mammal that builds its own aquatic empire

Population 1,222,000

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

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Austria
2016
Reintroduced
Belarus
2016
Belgium
2016
Reintroduced
Bulgaria
2016
Origin Uncertain
China
2016
Croatia
2016
Reintroduced
Czechia
2016
Reintroduced
Denmark
2016
Reintroduced
Estonia
2016
Reintroduced
Finland
2016
Reintroduced
France
2016
Germany
2016
Hungary
2016
Reintroduced
Italy
2016
Reintroduced
Kazakhstan
2016
Latvia
2016
Reintroduced
Liechtenstein
2016
Reintroduced
Lithuania
2016
Reintroduced
Luxembourg
2016
Moldova
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 19th century
Mongolia
2016
Montenegro
2016
Reintroduced
Netherlands
2016
Reintroduced
Norway
2016
Poland
2016
Reintroduced
Portugal
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 16th century
Romania
2016
Reintroduced
Russia
774,600
Official estimate
LC
2016
Serbia
2016
Reintroduced
Slovakia
2016
Reintroduced
Slovenia
2016
Reintroduced
Spain
2016
Reintroduced
Sweden
2016
Reintroduced
Switzerland
2016
Reintroduced
Turkey
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 19th century
Ukraine
2016
Reintroduced
United Kingdom
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 16th century

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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