The beaver is the largest rodent species. It feeds on tree bark, soft wood, and leaves. It has a thick, shiny fur coat, shovel-like claws adept at digging burrows, and is skilled at building dams. Its tail is broad, flat, and hairless but covered with scales. Beavers inhabit riverbanks and are excellent swimmers.
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(Image: agr.unideb) |
The beaver is an experienced engineer. It can dig a sloping tunnel leading to the river, with additional tunnels on the shore where water levels fluctuate subtly, and a spacious lodge measuring about 1 meter wide and 0.5 meters high. Each lodge has 2 or more entrances, all of which are underwater. The upper part of the lodge serves as the beaver’s resting area, while the area adjacent to the water is referred to as the “feeding chamber,” designed for convenience in cleaning and waste disposal.
When the water rises, beavers will dig the roof of the lodge higher, using dirt to elevate the floor. If they find the ceiling too thin, they will reinforce it by adding dirt or small branches. If the water continues to rise, they will construct a floating wooden house, surrounded by water. Beavers can create a small island using branches and bark that rise 2-3 meters above the water’s surface. The floating house also has entrances, all located underwater. Beavers take care to seal any gaps with mud, but they never forget to ensure proper ventilation in their home.
Beavers are also known as “water management engineers” who build dams to regulate water flow. They work collectively, using their teeth to fell trees, and transport the logs with their front paws to the designated location. Then, they cut the logs into sections and drive them vertically into the riverbed to create stakes, using larger branches to cover the top and placing supports beneath the flow. If the dam is particularly wide, they will reinforce it with stones. They use reeds, grass, and small branches along with mud to fill in any gaps, preventing leaks. At the top of the dam, beavers always build it higher than the sides, creating a marvelous structure. Once completed, the dam creates a calm pool of water upstream, resembling a pond, deep enough for beavers to swim and serve as their habitat.
(Image: nature)
