Eurasian Beaver
Castor fiber
The Eurasian beaver is a large semi-aquatic rodent characterized by its dense, water-repellent fur and a flattened, scaly tail called a paddle. It is a keystone ecosystem engineer that actively shapes its environment by constructing dams and lodges. The species is strictly herbivorous and uses its distinctive orange incisors to fell trees for food and building material.
Details
Identification
Horizontally flattened, scaly tail (paddle); orange incisors; webbed hind feet; dense brown fur.
Social behavior
Lives in monogamous family groups (clans) that defend a fixed territory against conspecifics.
Diet
Strictly herbivorous; herbs and aquatic plants in summer, bark, buds, and twigs of softwoods in winter.
Overwintering
Active during winter; uses insulated lodges and creates underwater food caches (food rafts).
Ecology
Ecological role
Keystone species; creates new wetland habitats through water damming and increases overall ecosystem biodiversity.
Natural predators
Wolf, lynx, bear; juveniles occasionally preyed upon by white-tailed eagles or large predatory fish.
Competitor species
Coypu and muskrat (limited food competition).
Ecosystem service
Landscape water retention, flood protection, improvement of water quality through sedimentation.
Threats
Habitat fragmentation, illegal persecution, traffic accidents, and conflicts with agriculture.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Horizontally flattened, scaly tail (paddle); orange-colored incisors due to iron oxide deposits; webbed hind feet; small eyes and ears; specialized grooming claw on the second toe of the hind foot.
Habitat
Lentic and lotic waters (rivers, streams, lakes, oxbows) with riparian softwood forests (Salix spp., Populus spp.); requires a minimum water depth of approx. 50 cm for lodge access.
Diet
Strictly herbivorous; in summer herbs, grasses, aquatic plants, and crops; in winter primarily bark and twigs of softwoods such as willows and poplars.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Habitat loss due to river engineering and bank stabilization; collisions with road and rail traffic; illegal persecution due to conflicts with agriculture and forestry.
Population trend
Increasing; following near-extinction in the 19th century, successful recolonization and expansion across large parts of Europe.
Conservation measures
Protection and restoration of floodplain landscapes; establishment of beaver management for conflict resolution; ensuring connectivity of watercourses; monitoring according to the Habitats Directive.