Mammal · GBIF taxon 4409131
Eurasian Beaver
Castor fiberAlso known as European Beaver
Eurasian beavers are master ecosystem engineers whose damming and canal building reshape rivers, wetlands, and surrounding forest landscapes. Operating mostly under cover of dusk and darkness, family units work cooperatively to fell trees, construct sturdy lodges, and store winter food caches. Their successful reintroduction across Europe has restored vital freshwater habitats, benefiting countless birds, amphibians, and fish.
AquaticNocturnalEcosystem Engineer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Willow bark
- Aspen bark
- Aquatic vegetation
Predators
- Wolf
- Eurasian Lynx
- Brown Bear
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, historic overhunting, human land conflict
HabitatsRivers, streams, lakes, ponds, forested wetlands
Life span10 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCastoridae
- SpeciesCastor fiber
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Strong jaws and sharp incisors can cause severe bites; observe quietly from a safe distance along riverbanks.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with powerful jaw muscles and oversized orange incisors capable of inflicting deep lacerations if cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized as a massive brown rodent with a flat scaly paddle tail and dark reddish orange front teeth.
- What to do
- Never corner, approach, or attempt to touch a beaver on land or in water; back away slowly if one approaches.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Look along riverbanks at dusk or dawn when individuals emerge to forage and build.
- Signs: Watch for characteristic pencil-shaped chewed stumps, wood chips, and stick lodges.
- Etiquette: Give lodge entrances and dams plenty of space so family groups remain undisturbed.
Frequent Companion Bernard Landgraf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Food Source 
Close Relative (c) Rodney Campbell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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