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by Misfit Animals Staff
There are two living species of beavers in the world: the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and the American beaver (Castor canadensis). Giant beavers (Castoroides) once walked Earth but are now extinct.
Beavers are unique creatures that play an important role in our ecosystems. But did you know there are different types of beavers?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the different types of beavers and how many species of beavers there are.
We’ll also explore some of the amazing things beavers can do.
Types of Beavers
There are two types of beavers: Eurasian beavers and American beavers[1]. Both types are large, semi-aquatic rodents with dark brown fur. They have webbed feet and a flat tail, which they use to paddle through water. Beavers build dams and lodges using sticks and mud, which provide them with shelter and a place to raise their young.
Beavers are an important part of their ecosystem.
Their dams create ponds, which provide habitat for other animals such as fish, amphibians, and birds. Beavers also help to prevent flooding by controlling the flow of water.
Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
1. Eurasian Beaver
Eurasian Beavers are found in Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. They are the largest beaver species. Eurasian Beavers have brown fur, webbed hind feet, and a broad, flat tail.[2]
Eurasian Beavers build their homes, or lodges, in aquatic habitats like rivers, streams, and lakes. They use sticks and logs to construct a dam that forms a pond in front of their lodge.
This pond provides them with a safe place to swim and gives them easy access to food. They eat aquatic plants, tree bark, and leaves.
How Many Eurasian Beavers Are There?
The Eurasian beaver population totaled nearly 1,222,000 individuals. The numbers dwindled because of excessive hunting and the lack of habitat.
2. American Beaver
American Beavers are found in North and South America. They are the second largest living species of beaver, and can grow up to three feet long and weigh over 50 pounds. American Beavers have brown fur, webbed hind feet, and a broad, flat tail.
Like Eurasian beavers, American Beavers build their lodges in aquatic habitats.
They also eat the same things as the Eurasian beaver, including aquatic plants, twigs, bark, and other plant material.
Is the American Beaver Invasive?
The American beaver is not considered to be an invasive species. Beavers were once native to nearly all of North America south of the Arctic tundra, but their population was greatly reduced by over-hunting in the early 1800s.
Beavers have since made a comeback in many parts of their former range, including some areas where they had been completely eradicated.
In some cases, beaver reintroduction programs have been conducted in order to help restore beaver populations and their ecosystem benefits to an area.
There are no known populations of American beavers outside of their native range.
What is The Largest Type of Beaver?
The Eurasian Beaver is the largest living species of beaver. They grow up to four feet long and weigh over 60 pounds. The American beaver is the smallest beaver, weighing up to 50 pounds.
While beavers are often considered pests due to their dam-building activities, they play an important role in the ecosystem.
These industrious animals help to create habitats for other wildlife and can improve water quality.
In some areas, beavers are even considered valuable members of the community.
Related: Animals That Look Like Beavers
FAQs
How Many Beavers Are There in the World?
It is estimated that there are six to twelve million beavers in North America, with another million in Europe[3]. After many years of heavy hunting, the beaver had vanished from much of its former territory by the turn of the twentieth century.
Where Do Beavers Live?
Beavers live in aquatic habitats like rivers, streams, and lakes. They build their homes, or lodges, in these habitats using sticks and logs to construct a dam that forms a pond in front of their lodge.
How Many Species of Beavers Are There?
There are only two species of beavers: the Eurasian Beaver and the American Beaver.
Where Are Beavers Most Common?
Beavers are found all over North America, with the exception of the deserts of California and Nevada, as well as parts of Utah and Arizona. They are found in ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, streams, and surrounding wetland areas.
What is the IUCN Status of Beavers?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the American beaver as a species of least concern and the Eurasian beaver as a species of near threatened. The American beaver population is thought to be stable or increasing in many areas, while the Eurasian beaver population is thought to be slowly increasing. Both species are still hunted for their fur and meat in some parts of the world.
What Are the Predators of Beavers?
Beavers have few predators thanks to their strong lodges and dams. Their main predators are humans, coyotes, wolves, and bears. Beaver kits (babies) are also preyed upon by eagles, hawks, owls, and snakes.
About Misfit Animals Staff
The Misfit Animals staff consists of animal lovers, pet enthusiasts, veterinarians, zoologists, and other animal experts. Our goal is to provide people with information on proper animal care.
