Eurasian Beaver
The Eurasian beaver is one of the largest rodents in the world and the largest rodent native to Europe and Asia. Closely related to the North American beaver, it shares similar ecological roles, particularly in its ability to modify landscapes by building dams and lodges. Once nearly extinct due to overhunting for its fur and castoreum, the Eurasian beaver has made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts.
Meet the Eurasian Beaver
Classification
The Eurasian beaver is a semi-aquatic rodent with a sturdy, robust body covered in thick, waterproof fur. Adults typically measure between 80 and 100 cm (31–39 inches) in body length, with an additional 25–50 cm (10–20 inches) for their flat, scaly tail. They can weigh between 11 and 30 kg (24–66 lbs), making them slightly larger on average than their North American counterparts.
One of the key differences between Eurasian and North American beavers is their tail shape—Eurasian beavers tend to have narrower, more oval-shaped tails, whereas North American beavers have broader, more rounded tails. Additionally, their skull structure and fur coloration vary slightly, with Eurasian beavers often displaying lighter shades of brown or reddish fur.
Where Does the Eurasian Beaver Live?
Biogeographic Realm: Palearctic
Subcontinents: Central Asia, East Asia, North Asia, Eastern Europe [Show all subcontinents]
Countries: Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy [Show all countries]
Habitats (IUCN): Forest, Shrubland, Wetlands (inland), Artificial - Terrestrial
Eurasian beavers are found throughout Europe and parts of Asia, with populations spanning from France and Scandinavia to Russia, China, and Mongolia. They inhabit freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, preferring slow-moving or still waters with abundant vegetation.
Once widespread across the continent, the Eurasian beaver was nearly eradicated due to extensive hunting for its fur and castoreum, a secretion used in perfumes and medicine. By the early 20th century, only a few small populations remained. Thanks to reintroduction programs and legal protections, they have now been successfully reintroduced to many parts of their former range, including the UK and parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
What Do Eurasian Beavers Eat?
Eurasian beavers are strict herbivores, primarily feeding on tree bark, leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants. Their diet varies by season—during spring and summer, they consume a mix of herbaceous plants, including water lilies and reeds, while in autumn and winter, they rely more on the inner bark of trees such as willows, poplars, birches, and alders.
To prepare for winter, beavers cut down trees and store submerged food caches near their lodges. This allows them to access food even when waterways freeze over. Their ever-growing incisors are perfectly adapted for gnawing through tough wood, helping them obtain both food and building materials.
What Eats Eurasian Beavers? – Predators & Natural Enemies
Eurasian beavers have few natural predators, but they can fall prey to wolves (Canis lupus), lynxes (Lynx lynx), and large birds of prey such as golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Young beavers, known as kits, are particularly vulnerable to predation by foxes, otters, and birds like owls.
To avoid predators, beavers rely on their aquatic skills, quickly diving into the water when threatened. Their lodges, which have underwater entrances, provide additional safety by preventing most land-based predators from reaching them.
Behavior & Lifestyle
Eurasian beavers are nocturnal and highly social, living in family units called colonies. Each colony consists of a monogamous breeding pair and their offspring from multiple years. Young beavers, or kits, remain with their parents for two to three years before dispersing to establish new territories.
Like their North American relatives, Eurasian beavers are famous for their dam-building behavior. By constructing dams with logs, branches, and mud, they create stable, deep-water habitats that offer protection from predators and access to food. If they inhabit a large enough body of water, they may forgo dam-building and simply live in burrows dug into riverbanks.
Beavers communicate using vocalizations, scent markings, and tail slaps. They use scent glands to mark their territory and warn intruders to stay away. Tail slaps on the water act as an alarm signal, alerting colony members to potential threats.
How Do Eurasian Beavers Reproduce?
Eurasian beavers are monogamous, typically mating for life. Breeding occurs in late winter, usually between January and March. After a gestation period of around 105–107 days, females give birth to a litter of 1 to 6 kits in late spring or early summer.
Newborn kits are born fully furred, with their eyes open, and are capable of swimming within hours. They remain in the safety of the lodge for the first few weeks, nursing from their mother before gradually transitioning to solid food. Older siblings help care for the young, providing warmth and protection.
By the time they reach two to three years of age, young beavers leave their natal colony to establish their own territories, ensuring genetic diversity and population expansion.
Are Eurasian Beavers Endangered? – Conservation Status & Threats
The Eurasian beaver was once on the brink of extinction, with populations reduced to fewer than 1,500 individuals by the early 20th century due to excessive hunting for fur and castoreum. However, thanks to extensive conservation efforts, legal protections, and reintroduction programs, their numbers have rebounded significantly. Today, the species is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Despite this recovery, Eurasian beavers still face threats from habitat destruction, water pollution, and conflicts with human activities. Their dam-building behavior can sometimes flood agricultural land and infrastructure, leading to tensions with landowners. In some areas, beavers are relocated or managed to prevent damage while still allowing populations to thrive.
Eurasian beavers play a crucial ecological role in wetland restoration. Their dams create new habitats for fish, amphibians, and birds, helping to increase biodiversity and improve water quality. Because of their importance, conservationists continue to advocate for their protection and responsible management across Europe and Asia.
