Beaver Facts
Until the 16th Century beavers lived in Scotland. They were hunted to extinction for their fur and for a secretion with medicinal qualities.
Beavers are a keystone species – a species which affects the survival and abundance of other wildlife in the community in which it lives. There are two species of beaver: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the European beaver (Castor fiber). The European was native to the UK and is the species involved in this trial.
How big are European beavers?
They are about the size of a tubby spaniel (25 – 30 kg) measuring 70 – 100 cm in length. Unusually for mammals, the female beaver is the same size or larger than males of the same age. They are uniquely adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with a sleek waterproof coat, large flattened muscular tail and webbed hind feet to provide propulsion underwater.
When do they start breeding and are they around all year?
Beavers live for 7 – 8 years, mate for life and breed from the age of two with one litter of 2 – 3 kits each year. They are highly territorial and live in family groups, they live mainly in freshwater lochs and slow flowing rivers and burns. Beavers are crepuscular, rather than nocturnal meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk throughout the year and do not hibernate.
What do they eat?
Beavers do not eat fish and are completely vegetarian, prefering to munch on mainly aquatic plants, grasses and shrubs during summer months and woody plants in winter. These are often stored underwater to be accessible if the water freezes over. In the woodlands they help to stimulate new growth by gnawing on tree stems and coppicing. This helps to breathe new life into tired forests and creates a diverse age range of trees benefiting woodland management.
Do they build dams?
Beavers are well known for construction skills and building dams in rivers and lodges in the ponds created by their dams. Their ponds and wetlands attract other species such as frogs, toads, water voles, otters, dragonflies, birds and fish. Dams are rarely greater than 1m in height.
