Beavers mainly eat bark, aquatic plants, thistles, leaves, twigs, seeds and roots. A lot of effort goes into the selection of a tree to eat. The farther it is from water, the greater risk of predation, so they try and stay close to the water. A medium size tree will have a higher rate of return of energy and nutrients. Beavers will also use smell to distinguish the preferred species of natural plant compounds in the bark. If all else fails, they will take small taste samples of bark. The beaver is found in streams and lakes in both remote and settled areas. Felling large trees with their chisel-like teeth, they cement them together with mud and sticks to build a dam. The area behind the dam becomes flooded which produces a large marsh, rich in water plants and aquatic life. Within these newly formed ponds the beaver builds its home or lodge. When winter arrives, beavers do not hibernate, they over winter in their lodge, only leaving to collect stored food. |
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Beavers mate for life. Mating occurs during the winter months but not until the individuals have reached sexual maturity at two years of age. Two to four young are born precocious in the lodge during the late spring. They are able to swim within a few hours and are usually weaned at about 6 weeks old. Some juveniles may be 2 years of age before dispersing. In addition to fur trapping, the main predators of the beaver are: coyotes, grey wolves, red foxes, eagles, black bears, lynx, bobcats, fishers, minks, as well as domestic dogs. |
