Beavers: Semi-Aquatic Rodents with Unique Tails and Important Ecosystem Roles

Bevers (genus Castor) are large, semi-aquatic rodents that are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. They are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are closely related to otters and minks. There are two species of beavers: the European beaver (Castor fiber) and the American beaver (Castor canadensis).

Beavers are known for their distinctive flat, paddle-like tail and their ability to build dams and lodges in rivers and streams. They are herbivores and feed on a variety of plants, including aquatic vegetation, grasses, and shrubs. Beavers are also important ecosystem engineers, creating wetlands and altering the flow of water in rivers and streams through their dam-building activities.

Beavers have been hunted for their fur and castoreum (a substance used in perfume and medicine) for centuries, and their populations have declined as a result. However, they are protected in many areas, and conservation efforts are underway to restore beaver populations and their habitats.