bäveren

Bäveren, commonly known as the beaver, is a large, semi-aquatic rodent in the genus Castor. Two living species exist: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Beavers are renowned for their dam-building behavior and their fur, which has historically influenced ecosystems and human activity.

Physically, beavers have a robust body, a broad, flat tail, and strong incisors that grow continuously. The incisors are orange due to iron in the enamel and are used to gnaw through wood. They have webbed hind feet for swimming and dense fur that provides insulation in cold water. Adults typically range in length from about 60 to 90 centimeters, with tails adding to total length, and they can weigh from roughly 11 to 32 kilograms.

Ecology and behavior: beavers live in family groups and are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular. They construct dams to create still water, which provides protection and access to suitable trees for food and construction. Lodges or burrows in the water offer shelter. Their diet consists mainly of bark, cambium, leaves, and aquatic plants. Beavers are territorial and communicate through scent marking and vocalizations.

Beavers are ecosystem engineers, shaping wetland habitats that support diverse plant and animal communities. Historically hunted for fur, beavers are protected in many regions, and both species are currently listed as Least Concern by major conservation bodies, though local populations may vary.