15 Cute Facts About Beavers

15 Cute Facts About Beavers

They are large semi-aquatic rodents that are usually found in North America and other places like Europe, and Asia. They are known for their ability to build dams and lodges by using mud, rocks, and branches. Beavers use these structures as their homes and habitats for other species. The dams they build can be as tall as 10 feet and as long as 300 feet.

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The dams they build are used for multiple purposes including protection from predators and access to food, and they are able to maintain wetland habitats. It should be noted that beavers have always been hunted for their fur and glands. Through conservation methods, beavers have made a remarkable recovery.

1. They Have Special Characteristics

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Aside from being cute fury animals, beavers are known for their sharp front teeth that they use for cutting down trees and stripping bark. They also use their teeth for building elaborate dams and lodges. Beavers are also well-adapted to living in and around bodies of water. Their bodies have a waterproof coat of fur that keeps them warm as well as dry in water. 

In North America, beavers are the largest rodents. They measure around 3 to 4 feet in length and they weigh around 30 to 70 pounds. Some species of beavers are larger than this. Their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives and help them build and get building materials.

2. They Have an Interesting Way of Communicating

Also known for being the most socially active animals, they live in small groups which are identified as colonies. These groups include an adult breeding pair and their offspring. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t speak to other beavers. To establish communication, they use vocalizations, scent marking, as well as tail-slapping on the water.

3. Beavers Adhere to a Late Night Schedule

Beavers are among the most active animals during the night. This helps them avoid potential predators. They use this time to build and maintain their dam structures. Aside from taking care of their habitats, beavers look for food as well as groom their fur.

4. They are The Most Organized Animals

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Beavers are able to live in colonies and have a schedule that followed the letter. In addition to creating a stable community that works from every generational beaver to the next. Many have found their ability to manage this lifestyle very intriguing. Their unique capability to change the environment makes them the most useful animals.

Even though they are seen as rodents that have relatively been considered threats, they are the most peaceful creatures when their territory is not disturbed. With this in mind, beavers are among the socially constructive and hard-working species. 

5. They Live Longer than Dogs

Even as worker bees, beavers have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in the wild. However, when they live in a controlled environment, they can live for as long as 20 years. In some cases, beavers can live for more than 20 years. During this time, they continue to work as normal as building societies.

6. Beavers Have Adapted to Water

Due to their ability to build dams and lodges using sticks, they are able to stay in water for up to 15 minutes. This ability is caused by a special membrane that covers their eyes and nostrils. This helps them build for longer hours and keep their colonies safe. With such intervals, it’s no wonder why beaters are among the best workers.

Aside from building underwater, beavers are excellent swimmers. They have webbed hind feet including paddle-like tails which they use to propel through water.

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7. Beavers Share Similarities with Humans 

When it comes to families, they are the most cautious as well as passionate. They take care of their mates and are very loyal. Male beavers don’t like messing around with their families. If they sense danger, they attack and defend their mates. Beavers are monogamous and don’t believe in polygamy relationships.

When they form friends and relationships, they chose lifelong partnerships. Family ties are among their main values, this is seen when they share lodges with numerous generations.

8. They Enjoy Living in Ponds

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Due to the fact that beavers are able to build and stay in water for 15 minutes, they have wetland habitats known as beaver ponds. They use this as a way of providing homes for a number of plant and animal species. Even though beavers have been labeled as ground animals, beavers work better in wetland areas.

9. Beavers Have a Rich Immune System

Like most mammals, they have a good immune system. They have an efficient system that protects them from various harmful viruses, parasites, and microorganisms. The immune system of a beaver helps them fight against diseases, infections, and their general well-being.

10. Their Diet is Based on Habitats

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A Beaver primarily eats what is surrounding them. Mainly, they eat foods such as tree bark, twigs, and leaves and when living in water colonies, aquatic plants. Sometimes when they are in their beaver ponds, they eat fish and other small aquatic animals.

11. Their Tails are Their Strongest Suit

Beavers use their tails for different purposes. Their flat and broad tails enable beavers to balance themselves, communicate with other colonies, and warn others of danger. It is the most valuable and important physical characteristic of a beaver. Aside from balance, they mainly use their beavers for swimming. 

The tail can propel the beaver forward and enable them to change directions swiftly. They also use them for alerting other beavers of danger and signaling territorial boundaries.

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12. They Have Good Vision

Due to the fact that beavers have adopted a nocturnal lifestyle, they have become very active at night. However, this doesn’t mean that they can see in the dark. Just like other mammals, they have limited ability to see in low light conditions. 

13. Beavers are Peaceful Creatures

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Despite being labeled as aggressive mammals, beavers have proved themself as peaceful animals. As long as they aren’t provoked and disturbed, beavers can be friendly creatures. They always find ways of avoiding conflicts and fights. It should be noted that as long as they are left alone, beavers love their space and natural space.

14.  Their Scent is a Valuable Safety Measure

Known for being territorial animals, their anatomy assists with this. Beavers have a special gland near their tail that produces a musky scent that marks their territory. They also use this identifiable scent for communicating with other beavers and forming partnerships and relationships. Without this musky scent, a beaver might as well be a lone ranger.

15. They are Nature’s Engineers

Beavers are the most important creatures in the environment. They have the ability to create and maintain wetland habitats for their colonies. With their ability to create this environment, a wide variety of plants and animals are able to survive and flourish.

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As a whole, beavers have proved themselves as the most important creatures that roam the earth. Not only do they change their environment drastically, but they also make way for a whole other ecosystem that can flourish and develop. Their ability to build dams and lodges has brought on a whole other set of achievements for humans and animals alike.