Beavers

In this video, we explore the fascinating world of beavers (Castor canadensis), renowned for their impressive engineering skills. Beavers build intricate dams, lodges, and canals using branches, mud, and stones, creating stable aquatic environments that protect their homes from predators.

Their large, orange incisors, which grow continuously and are coated with iron-rich enamel, are perfectly adapted for gnawing through wood. The beaver's flat, paddle-shaped tail serves multiple purposes, acting as a rudder while swimming, helping with balance when cutting trees, and serving as an alarm signal when slapped against the water.

Beavers are true ecosystem engineers, transforming landscapes by creating wetlands that provide habitats for numerous species, improve water quality, recharge groundwater, and reduce erosion. Their adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle include webbed hind feet for swimming, waterproof fur, and the ability to close their nostrils and ears while submerged.

As herbivores, beavers primarily eat bark, leaves, and twigs, particularly favoring trees like aspen, willow, and birch, along with aquatic plants and roots.Known for their strong work ethic, beavers tirelessly maintain and repair their structures, which can span hundreds of meters.

These family-oriented animals live in colonies consisting of a monogamous pair and their offspring, all cooperating in building and maintenance tasks. Beavers communicate through vocalizations, scent marking, and tail slaps, using castoreum from their scent glands to mark territory and communicate with others.