The largest representatives of rodents in the northern hemisphere are beavers. These are unique animals, ask why? Now we will tell you ...
These toothy mammals are characterized by the construction of well-known dams. Why are they building them, and is there any use for these structures?
Here the opinion is twofold: the benefit - depending on whom. For the "architects" themselves, of course, the benefits are present, but for the people it is unlikely. But first, let's learn more about beaver species in nature and how they look.
Beaver (Castor).And there are only two species of these mammals in the world: the Canadian beaver and its European relative. Both representatives of the beaver family reach large sizes: the body length is about one meter, and this always gnawing beast weighs 30 kilograms. Both European and Canadian beavers are absolutely adapted from nature to life in the aquatic environment: they swim perfectly, they have special membranes on their hind limbs, they have a specially arranged mouth apparatus (which prevents the beaver from drowning, even if it opens its mouth under water), and there is also a thick undercoat that prevents the skin from getting completely wet. Here is the secret to the successful construction of dams: the beaver is completely not afraid of water!
Canadian Beaver (Castor canadensis).The habitats of Canadian beavers are the territories of North America. A European North American relative settled on the Eurasian continent (both in Europe and in Asia). For a comfortable living, a beaver selects only the shores of water bodies: streams, small lakes, quiet backwaters, small slow rivers. Sometimes found in swampy forest zones. But the determining factor when choosing a place of residence for a beaver is still the presence of trees growing in close proximity to water, and even better if their trunks are completely immersed in water.
Beaver in search of a home.Having settled on the shore, the beaver leads a sedentary lifestyle. Moreover, the once chosen place of residence can serve as a home for several generations of beavers. By the way, these mammals prefer to live either in pairs or in families, not to meet them individually.
A beaver goes to his home along a beaten path.Now about the need to build dams ... these rodents make such super-constructions in order to combat the decrease in water level in the summer. Starting from partitions made of clay and mud (which they spread on a non-pond), beavers build the base of their "wall". Then they lay out something like the frame of their large logs, strengthening it with small branches, mud and pieces of clay. This is how a “beaver reservoir forms, blocking the river bed. It is called a beaver dam in a different way. The length of the dam is from 15 to 30 meters, but there have been cases when this value reached 700 meters!
During the construction of the dam.Beaver activity manifests itself at night. With the onset of darkness, these rodents go in search of food, they also build dams - at night. Meeting this animal during the day is a rare exception.
Listen to the beaver voice
//animalreader.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Misha-Makarov-Golos-bobramuzofon.com_.mp3Beavers talk to each other with a loud whistle. But there is one more trick: in case of danger, one of the members of the beaver family loudly slaps his tail in the water, thus warning the others that the enemy is nearby. At this moment, the whole family quickly dives into the water and waits for some time in the hut.
A pair of beavers harvesting food for the winter.As food, these animals prefer young branches, which are used together with the growing lush foliage on them. Sometimes, in order to reach the treasured crown of a tree, beavers simply have to gnaw through its trunk and dump it.
In nature, beavers are hunted, in addition to humans, by such animals as: wolf, coyote, lynx and bear.
A pair of European beavers (Castor fiber).About the breeding of beavers ... these monogamous animals form a pair once and for life. Fertilized during the mating season (usually in the middle and end of winter), the female carries the calf for about 3.5 months. Childbirth takes place in late spring. Newborn beavers are able to immerse themselves in water and swim already on the second day after birth.
In nature, beavers live a little more than 10 years, but in captivity this period increases to 35 years!
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