The Eurasian Beaver

The Eurasian beaver or European beaver is a beaver species that once widespread in Eurasia (Europe and Asia), but was hunted to near-extinction for both its fur and castoreum (musk scented secretions used to mark territory).

In the 20^th century, only about 1,200 of the Eurasian beaver survived. However, they have been successfully reintroduced to Scotland, parts of France, Southern Germany, a few regions of China and Mongolia.

The Eurasian Beaver has varieties of fur colors, depending on the region. In Belarus, they have light, chestnut-rust fur, in Russia it is blackish brown, while in the Voronezh Reserve they are both brown and blackish-brown.

In Size, the Eurasian Beaver is one of the largest living rodent species and the largest rodent native to Eurasia. Its length, from head to body is 80-100cm, with a 25-50cm tail length. It weighs around 38kg and lives up to 8 years. By its average known weight, it is considered the second heaviest rodent after the capybara.

Eurasian Beavers are excellent swimmers who help the ecosystem by building wetlands which provides habitat for other animals. They also create copse from waterside trees and shrubs that facilitates regrowth of dense shrubs, thus providing cover for birds and other animals. They build dams, creating floodplains that provides protection around their lodge, and an increased opportunity to forage.

Beavers breed mainly from December to April and usually have one litter a year. They are monogamous and stay together for multiple breeding seasons. The young beavers learn to swim within hours and leave the nest at 1-2 months. They are weaned in their first summer but may not disperse until two years old.

Visit www.africanpridemagazine.com for more.