streams and may actually benefit from the
This information is reprinted from
Rescue Report, the newsletter of the
Wildlife Rescue League. If you have
a concern about wildlife in your back
yard, contact the Wildlife Hotline at
(703) 440-0800.
Living With Beavers -- by Erika K.
Yery, licensed wildlife rehabilitator
Most calls received by licensed wildlife
rehabilitators regarding beavers, are
usually about beaver problems. Most
complaints are from new developments,
such as subdivisions, townhouses,
suburban homes and office complexes,
with small ponds or a stream nearby. In
most cases the beavers were there before
these places were constructed and the
problem begins when beavers start cutting
down trees, eating shrubs or flooding
areas. Unfortunately, beavers are not
aware of human property or property
boundaries. Other problems occur on
public lands and include interference with
infrastructure such as sewers, culverts, and
drainage ditches, flooding trails, streets
and railroad tracks. When the problem
involves beavers cutting down ornamental
trees or shrubs, sturdy fencing is the only
foolproof way of exclusion. Individual
trees should be wrapped with hardware
cloth forming a cylinder standing 6 inches
away from the trunk. Use welded wire for
fencing.
Outside motion detectors with automatic
bright lights can be used as well. Some
systems can also be equipped so that an
outdoor sound system goes on with the
sound of barking dogs or other loud
noises. The sound has to be changed from
time to time. This method my disturb
neighbors, but it has worked on several
occasions. A new gadget, called "Critter
Gitter" by Amtek (1-800-762-7618) has
been used successfully used to deter
various wild animals and may work with
beavers.
Some of the more unusual calls are
concerns about beavers eating fish in
ponds. Beavers are herbivores, meaning
they eat plant material only. As true
vegetarians, they mainly eat bark,
saplings, water scum, and other
vegetation. Fish are safe in ponds and
Executive Director, The Wildlife Society,
improved habitat. at the Regional Workshop on Beaver in
Urbanizing Environment, 19-20 March
I have received a few calls on beavers 1997, at the National Wildlife Visitor's
chewing on floating docks or patio decks Center in Laurel, Maryland.
near water. An application of bobcat or
coyote scent available from sporting Beaver in Urban Habitats:
goods or feed stores will deter gnawing. Understanding the New Reality
This scent has to be reapplied frequently. Beavers are very interesting creatures and
they are now returning to this area after an
absence of nearly 300 years. As beavers
and people move into each others’
backyards, many of us want to learn more
about these wild animals -- either to enjoy
watching them or to learn how to take
preventive measures to protect property.
The following information on the biology,
life history, ecology, and behavior of
Castor canadensis is provided so we can
all gain a better understanding of this
remarkable mammal.
Basic Life History
Beavers are the largest rodent in North
America; adults typically weigh from 35
to 50 pounds, but there are numerous
records of them exceeding 100 pounds!
For more detailed information and They are between two and three feet in
practical advice on how to resolve length, with an additional 12 to 18 inches
common wildlife problems using humane for the tail. Beavers vary in color from
and inexpensive methods there are several light to dark brown; in this area most are
excellent publications available. dark brown to reddish brown in color. The
• The Humane Society of the United fur contains long, shiny guard hairs
States offers an excellent book, "Wild covering dense, soft underfur that traps air
Neighbors" the Humane Approach to and helps protect them from the cold. It is
Living with Wildlife, available from the underfur that is of value in the fur
the Wildlife Rescue League. industry. Beavers are widely distributed,
living in every Canadian province below
• The Fund for Animals offers a 12 tree line and in every state except Hawaii.
page brochure, "Living With
Beavers," which describes techniques Beavers have numerous morphological,
in further detail. Call the local office physiological, and behavioral adaptations
for a copy: 301-585-2591. that enable them to thrive in semi-aquatic
environments. Their body is "torpedo"
• For detailed information on the shaped; that contributes to their agility in
Clemson Beaver Pond Leveler water, but on land it makes them a bit
(installed for problems that are awkward and clumsy. They are muscular
created by rising water levels caused animals with large bones, well-developed
by the dam or plugging of road incisor teeth, and a massive skull that
culverts), request additional supports strong chewing muscles. Beavers
information from the Wildlife Rescue have a broad, horizontally-flattened tail
League, 703-391-8625. that is scaly in appearance. The tail is used
for stability while sitting or standing
Relocating or killing beavers and upright on land, as a rudder and
destroying dams will not solve beaver propulsion in water, as a warning device,
problems as other beavers will sense a and for both fat storage and thermal
vacancy in the area and start building a regulation. Their hind feet are large and
new dam, often the same day. Enjoying webbed for propulsion; the toenail on the
and living with beavers is the way to go! 4th toe of each hind foot is split for
The following material on beavers was grooming. The front legs are short and the
presented by Harry E. Hodgdon, front paws have heavy toenails for
digging. Beavers’ eyes are near the top of shrub leaves and shoots. In the fall and be male or female, but typically is an
their head so they can see above the water winter they favor twigs, roots, bark and adult. The adult male often patrols the
while keeping most of their body inner bark of woody plants. Aspen, birch, pond perimeter after emerging.
underwater, and they have a translucent alder and willow are favored tree species,
membrane that covers their eyes when but beavers have been known to cut In winter where ponds are frozen for
underwater. Both ears and the nose have almost every kind of tree, including several months, free-running circadian
valves that close when the animal conifers. Bark and leaves may be eaten activity rhythms, with a period of 26-29
submerges. The throat can be blocked by where they fall in the woods or dragged hours, probably are common. Activity
the back of the tongue, and the lips close back to the water. above ice is correlated positively with air
behind their incisors to permit gnawing temperature. As temperature falls, above
and carrying sticks underwater without Family Composition ice activity declines and at about 10-15
choking. Beavers live in small, closed family units degrees F. it ceases.
(often incorrectly termed "colonies") that
Beavers can regulate their blood generally consist of an adult pair and Annual cycle of activity
chemistry, heart rate, and circulation young from one or more years. Only the Mating occurs in the water during winter.
pattern to enable them to remain adults breed. One litter of three or four is In late winter or early spring, beavers exit
underwater for 15 or more minutes. born each year, and the young usually frozen ponds through holes in the ice and
Beavers have no external sex organs, remain with the family until they are about forage on nearby woody vegetation. As
except teats on nursing females, and they 21-22 months old and then typically ice thaws, above ice activity increases and
have a common urogenital opening near disperse. Some young may remain with scent marking begins. With ice out,
the base of the tail (a "cloaca" similar to the family for one or more additional foraging expands to the entire occupied
waterfowl). They can live up to 20 or years as subadults. Thus, an established site and scent marking increases rapidly.
more years, but in areas with large family contains an adult pair, kits of the Beavers shift from a woody to herbaceous
predators or trapping, most adults rarely current year (less than 12 months old), diet as new growth appears.
exceed 10 years of age. yearlings born the previous year (12 to 24
months old), and possibly one or more Shortly after ice out, young approaching
Beavers have relatively few external or nonbreeding subadults from prior two years of age begin dispersing,
internal parasites, but two are of interest to breeding seasons (over 24 months old). although as population density nears
the public -- Giardia and tularemia. Young reach sexual maturity between 18 carrying capacity, some young may delay
Waterborne outbreaks of Giardiasis, an and 30 months of age. departing for one or more years. Dispersal
internal ailment caused by the protozoan is not preceded by increased adult
parasite Giardia lamblia, is referred to by Social organization aggression. Most dispersal occurs within a
some as "beaver fever" because some The beaver family social system is unique few weeks after ice out and not all siblings
beavers carry the organism, but so do among rodents. Each family occupies a leave together. Dispersers primarily
many other animals found around lakes discrete, individual site. The adult pair follow water courses, do not avoid
and streams, including humans. Despite bond is long-term and monogamous, occupied sites, and often travel several
this, beavers will be a focus of concern although a lost adult may be replaced by a miles before taking up residence. Some
because they spend so much time transient or an offspring. The family may form initial pair bonds prior to
swimming in our drinking water! strategy is characterized by low birth rate, finding suitable habitat, but many occupy
Tularemia, spread by water or ticks, has low young mortality, prolonged sites alone, initiate dam and burrow or
been reported as an important mortality behavioral development, and high parental lodge construction or maintenance, and
factor in a few beaver populations and is care. An age-class hierarchy exists and is begin scent marking before a mate arrives.
occasionally contracted by trappers when maintained through close-range
handling beaver carcasses. interactions where body orientations, During high water in spring and early
vocalizations. postures, and gestures summer, families are active building new
An important requirement for beavers is convey status; physical aggression is rare dams and maintaining or enlarging
water deep enough to provide aquatic among family members. Adults dominate existing dams. Discarded peeled sticks
habitat beneath winter ice. As a result, yearlings and yearlings dominate kits. from the winter food cache often are
they are generally associated with rivers, Either adult may be dominant, or they may added to dams and the lodge. As water
ponds and lakes, or areas that can be be co-dominant. levels drop in summer, construction and
converted to beaver ponds. Although maintenance of canals and channels
beavers are found in areas with steep Daily activity patterns increase.
slopes, they generally prefer valleys with Beavers’ activity during spring, summer,
flat terrain and perennial streams that can and fall is predominately dusk to dawn, Birth occurs in late spring (106 days after
be dammed to create ponds. These areas with activity beginning later in spring and mating) within the burrow or lodge, and
also produce an abundance of preferred fall than in mid-summer. Active period the adult female does not isolate herself
food. Beavers are vegetarians whose diet length is 11-13 hours per night, but varies from the family. The family concentrates
varies with changes in season. In spring among individuals and families. One activities near the lodge for a few weeks
and summer they feed on non-woody beaver usually emerges first from the after birth. Kits nurse for several weeks,
plants or plant parts such as water lilies, lodge or burrow more frequently than any but begin consuming solid food within a
algae, grasses, sedges, herbs, ferns, and other family member. This individual may few days. All family members transport
leafy branches and herbaceous vegetation females are more active than males in each Canals and Channels
into the lodge when kits are young. The age-class, except kits. Kits contribute only
Canals and channels facilitate movements.
adult male most actively provides kits sticks because bipedal carrying of mud is Both construction and maintenance
with solid food and yearling males may be not developed fully by the first fall. involve rapid digging and pushing
as active as the adult female. Kits can loosened material with the forepaws away
swim within hours after birth, but are too Dams from the center of the canal or channel.
buoyant to submerge for several days. Dams are initiated where water flows over This activity is the least complex
They first leave the lodge about two obstructions in streams and at outlets to construction behavior. All age-classes
weeks of age, but rarely are seen in early pools; audible stimuli are important in participate, the frequency increases with
evening until about one-month old. Initial releasing and orienting construction age, and no sex differences are apparent.
activity of kits is confined to the vicinitybehavior. Dams begin with beavers
of the lodge. They often emerge with and pushing pond or stream sediment and Food Cache
follow other family members, especially stones into a ridge. Ridge size depends Every fall beavers in northern latitudes
the adult female. upon stream velocity and when the ridge construct food caches to provide a food
no longer holds back water, sticks and source when ponds are frozen. Beavers at
In late summer or early fall, beavers begin branches are added for support, followed the southern extreme of their range do not
cutting trees, reflecting a gradual dietary by more mud. As a dam takes form, build food caches. Cache construction
shift from herbaceous to woody material. building behavior is oriented where water may be initiated by the first hard frost.
Families begin maintaining an existing flows over or around the structure. Most caches are located close to an
lodge or start building a new burrow or Building behavior generally ceases when underwater burrow or lodge entrance and
lodge. Lodge construction or maintenance water no longer flows over or around the are begun by securing the butts of
is performed nearly every night until dam or when ice forms. Adults begin most branches underwater -- either into the
ponds completely freeze over. As more dams, with females starting more than pond bottom or into the underwater
trees are felled, beavers build new dams males. All family members participate in portion of the lodge. Either adult may
and maintain or enlarge existing dams. dam construction and females of each age- initiate food storage, and adults are the
Storage of woody material in ponds is class are more active than males. most active provisioners. All age-classes
started after lodge maintenance or participate, although kits do not contribute
construction is begun and is associated Dams are maintained throughout the year, until late fall.
with the lodge being maintained. but most material is added during periods
of excess water. Mud and sediment from Communications
Construction maintenance behaviors the pond bottom are carried in the Beavers use several systems to
Beavers display many construction forepaws against the upper chest and are communicate information among family
behaviors, but environmental conditions pushed along the upstream side of the dam members, neighbors, and transients.
determine which building activities are to or near the crest. Sticks are towed to the
elicited. Not all families or populations dam and, using teeth and forepaws, slid Tail-slapping is a rapid striking of the tail
perform all behaviors. For example, over the crest to the downstream side. against the water in response to unfamiliar
beavers occupying stream or pond habitat Maintenance behavior increases with age or unusual stimuli. Most investigators
build dams to increase water depth, and all family members participate. Adult have documented this behavior, but there
whereas those living on lakes or rivers females may be slightly more active than is little consensus on its use. Number of
rarely construct dams. males, but there is little sex difference in tail-slaps seems to increase with age and,
yearlings and kits. within each age-class, females are more
Burrow and Lodge easily provoked, but males slap more
Beavers dig with their forepaws a burrow Beavers frequently perform slow, close times per incident.
underwater into the bank and extend it inspection of dams. This inspection
upward. If the ground surface is broken, appears to be visual, but sound detection When an unusual stimulus is detected,
sticks, branches, and mud are used to of escaping water also my be important. beavers initially enter an alert posture with
cover the exposed burrow, and a nest About one-third of all close inspections the nose raised out of the water and swim
chamber is excavated out of the sticks; result in dam maintenance. All family in wide circles or float in deep water
otherwise a nest chamber is excavated members perform the behavior, and the oriented toward the disturbance. This
underground above the water level. Adult frequency increases with age. Adult males behavior often culminates in tail-slapping.
females initiate most burrows and are are more active than females and in other The stimulation threshold necessary to
most active covering exposed burrow age-classes, males often are more active elicit alert investigation declines with
openings, although adult males often assist than females. Breaks in dams are rare, increasing age, so adults are more likely to
in widening burrows. All beavers, except probably because of frequent inspections investigate a stimulus that elicits no
kits, assist in digging and covering. In and maintenance. Materials selected for response in younger animals.
northern latitudes each fall, beavers add repairs follow a fixed sequence, similar to
mud and sticks to lodges in which they initial dam construction. Repaired crests The relative importance of stimuli
will spend the winter. Mud, the primary often are higher than adjacent portions of releasing tail-slapping is unclear. Scent
material used, usually covers the entire a dam. Adults and yearlings repair breaks, seems to be the most important stimulus,
exterior except the tip. All family with females more active than males. but multiple stimuli are the most effective
members perform lodge maintenance, but releasers. Sound or movement often cause
investigation, but rarely release tail- of each age-class mark more than females. younger family members, whining by kits
slapping unless coupled with other stimuli. The adult male scent marks the most. likely reduces aggressive tendencies in
Unfamiliar scent elicits aggressive older beavers and promotes increased
The response to tail-slapping by beavers behavior and/or increased marking in contact among family members.
on land or in shallow water is to move to resident adults. Adults can discriminate Vocalizations also are important in
deep water. However, the response between male and female odors, with both initiating grooming and play.
depends on the age of both the animal on sexes responding more intensely to male
land and the beaver slapping. Kits are scent. Summary
often the least likely to move and their Beavers are extremely well adapted to
slaps are not as likely to cause other Scent marking serves multiple functions. their semi-aquatic life-style and their
family members to move to deep water. The annual marking cycle in relation to ability to dam streams, cut trees, and build
Yearlings are intermediate. Adults are dispersal and concentration of mounds in lodges make their presence highly visible
most responsive, and their slaps elicit the areas of high family activity indicate that of the landscape. Beavers have played an
greatest response. labeling habitat with familiar odor is active role in the Potomac basin ecology
important and likely builds and maintains for thousands of years. Intensive trapping
In addition to functioning as a warning a sense of confidence in residents. It also and deforestation that followed European
signal to family members to move to deep may either deter transients from entering colonization eliminated beavers from this
water, tail-slapping also frightens or occupied habitat or alter their motivational region by the early 1700's and from far
drives potential predators away and elicits state when passing through a resident western Maryland and Virginia by 1800.
more information from the stimulus family's area by reducing exploratory Today, the landscape beavers are
source. behavior. Scent also may function to returning to is very different than the one
provide residents, neighbors, and they occupied 300 years ago. While trees
Scent marking. Beavers use mud, transients with information on family and and waterways are similar, they are now
decaying vegetation, and twigs from pond population density and influence family broken by transportation corridors and
and stream bottoms to build mounds spacing. Finally, it likely transmits such human developments. Beavers were not
around the edges of water areas occupied information as age, sex, reproductive considered in human development patterns
by the family. Nearly all mounds are condition, and nutritional status and because they were absent, so areas with a
within one meter of water and are provides residents and transients with low or gradual gradient, often next to
distributed in clumps around the shore. insights into family composition, streams and rivers, were selected for
Clumping of mounds occurs in high including a missing adult. roads, railroads, housing developments,
activity areas including near lodges and and parks. Because beavers have a
bank burrows, feeding sites, trails, Vocalization. Seven vocal sounds have dramatic impact on the landscape in very
occupied area boundaries, and dam been documented from captive beavers, urban areas, their return to a human-
construction sites. Number of mounds but most investigators recognize only dominated environment has not been
built annually per family is variable, but three outside the lodge: whine, hiss, and without conflict.
often exceeds 100. Adults build most growl. The whine is the most frequent
mounds, with the male most active, and vocalization. The hiss and growl are WRL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
kits build none. emitted infrequently and normally are
associated with aggressive interactions. Contact us at (703) 391-8625, or write to:
PO Box 704, Falls Church, VA 22040
Mounds are scent marked with castor and
anal gland secretions. Scent marking is All age-classes produce the whine, but its Or visit our web site at:
limited to mounds and nearly 60% of all use declines with increasing age and can http://www.wildliferescueleague.org
marks occur immediately after new have wide variation in pitch, duration, and
building material is added. In areas where inflection. Kits account for nearly two- Combined Federal Campaign #7843
there is little or no ice, scent marking is thirds of the incidents and usually repeat
high in January through March. Where ice the whine several times in rapid
confines beavers, marking begins in early succession. Repetitive calling declines as
spring, peaks in mid to late spring, age increases. Most whine calls occur in
declines rapidly, and continues at a low social contexts and usually are directed
level during summer and fall. Some toward older family members.
mounds are marked more frequently than
others. The level of scent marking varies Whining immediately preceding or during
widely from night to night and generally social interactions appears to serve several
increases sharply following precipitation. purposes. A beaver feeding in water
Families with high probabilities to usually relinquishes food to a whining kit.
encounter neighbors or transients have This food begging provides growing kits
higher marking activity than in more with food without the risk of obtaining it
isolated families. on land. Kits also whine to advertise their
reluctance to relinquish food when
All family members scent mark, marking approached by another beaver. Further,
frequency increases with age, and males because older animals are dominant over