The Eurasian (or European) beaver used to be widespread in Great Britain and Europe until they were hunted for its fur and castoreum. By the 16th century, the Eurasian beaver was extinct in Britain, with populations only returning to 1,200 individuals in 1900. Since then, the population has slowly begun to recover and there have been successful re-introductions to parts of France, Scotland, Germany, and Austria.
By November 2016, the Scottish population grew to the point that the Eurasian beaver was formally recognized as a native species.
Reproduction
Beavers breed mainly between December to April, giving birth to litters of between 2-3 kids between May and June. Their young learn how to swim within hours of birth and typically first leave the nest within 1-2 months. They are weaned in their first summer, but typically don’t leave the family home until the age of two. They aren’t likely to breed until they are three years old.
Diet
Eurasian beavers are herbivorous, eating water and river bank plants, including tubers, such as the rootstocks of myrtles, cattails, and water lilies. They also eat trees, including softwood tree bark. Their appendices and the microorganisms inside make it possible for them to digest bark cellulose.
Habitat
Eurasian beavers are semi-aquatic, with their primary habitat being freshwater systems such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. They typically prefer to exist in forested areas. Although they can also be found in swamps and marshes.
Predators
Typically, beavers are hunted by wolves, lynxes, foxes, and some raptors such as the white-tailed eagle. Humans sometimes pose a risk when they resort to hunting beavers to remove them from their properties.
Conservation and Status
After the reintroduction project, the Eurasian beaver is now formally recognized as a native species in Scotland. Previous to this, they were extinct for over 400 years in Scotland and Longer in England and Wales. There are still no recognized populations in these two locations. These populations in Scotland are made up of individuals introduced from Norway.
Vocalization
Beavers are generally not very vocal animals. They sometimes growl or hiss, but their most common form of communication is slapping their tail against the surface of the water as they dive to escape predators. This warns other animals in the area of danger.
These resilient mammals have faced difficult times across the board and continue to survive despite the odds. Today, we celebrate the Eurasian beaver for their grit!
