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The North American Beaver is an iconic animal. From blockbuster movies like the Narnia series, and hit tv shows like Franklin, to various books ranging from across genres, this animal is well within the public eye. Well, that is, as far as media is concerned. Think back to the last time you actually saw an actual beaver in person with your actual eye. Or have you ever? This is why this week’s blog post is featuring the North American Beaver. My next blog post will feature the Coypu. The Coypu, also called the Nutria, is an invasive rodent that is often mistaken as a Beaver, to the untrained or obstructed eye, since they inhabit the same environments here in Virginia.
Way back when Lewis & Clark were scribbling maps in the woods somewhere west of the Mississippi, with Sacagawea leading the navigation through treacherous and difficult terrains while translating various languages along the way, the North American Beaver had population peaks reaching over 60 million. This animal is an iconic worker, as well as movie star. It is famous for its ability to build dams and lodges. It is the second largest rodent in the world, right behind capybaras, so it is able to really move some material given the time. The beaver is similar to people in the way that they both use resources from their environment to alter it to their advantage. Interestingly, besides humans, beavers shape their landscape more than any other animal. When beavers create lodges and dams, they add variance to the environment, allowing for more ecological activity to occur. Rivers become series of retentions and flows. Around beaver structures where the water slows, pollutants, sediments, and suspended solids are filtered out the water. These areas, called beaver ponds, open up a range of niches that support wildlife similar to those you would find in a lake-like ecosystem. Such as many different frogs, cranes and fish-oriented birds of prey, turtles, and thick “waters-edge” vegetation. So, these beavers are extremely beneficial to keep around because of their tendency to enhance local ecosystems, by increasing biodiversity and/or biological activity. If you want some more Know-Hows on beavers and how they do what they do, check out his video about building beaver dams produced by PBS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJjaQExOPPY
Today beaver populations are around 1/10th of what they used to be, with recent population peaks estimated around 6 million. Beavers were hunted extensively. They were valued for their fur, as it was used for fashion and warmth. As well as, their oil, called castoreum, that was used for medicine, perfume, and for making vanilla flavorings. Also, humans had their own ideas of how to use the rivers on this land and saw these beaver structures as a nuisance, consequently taking them out. The Humane Society has attempted to address this issue, and if you need some resources on how to best go about handling the unwanted presence of a beaver, or just want some extra Know-How, check out this link - https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-beavers
For thousands of years, these animals have shaped the ecosystems they inhabit, and have served as a crucial keystone species. A keystone species is, as defined by Google given and Wikipedia driven search results, “a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.” So, these animals are not just superstars on the screen, but also in the green, if you know what I mean. But yeah, anyways, I have only seen one of these critters out in the wild a time or two myself. I’ve seen a few of the very distinct beaver broken trees, you can tell when a beaver chops down a tree as opposed to when people chops down a tree. And I’ve even gotten to see a beaver damn and a lodge, once or twice. There just not animals that have shown up on my radar very frequently. It is disappointing to know that this species that was once so prevalent here, is now a rare sighting. So, keep a sharp eye out for this important critter.
Beavers are rad as heck y’all. They live in enchanted forest within magical wardrobes and also play key roles in creating, supporting, and enhancing their local ecosystems. Gnarly. When they’re out doing their job making their homes, they make homes and create jobs for other animals and plants wherever they go. Beavers are that family that move on the block and make the property value go up for the whole neighborhood, AND they have great barbeques that they invite everybody to. If you don’t believe me about any of the beaver’s awesomeness, then feel free to get some more Know-How with The Chesapeake Bay Program see what they have to say - https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/beaver
Beavers are second to humans in their ability to alter their landscape, and they are the second largest rodent in the world. If you want to learn some more dam good fun facts about beavers, and get some more Know-How under your pelt, then you might want to watch this video on the YouTube, released by the channel SciShow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cyPyEQ4OHI
I think beavers are awesome, and if you do too, and want to learn a bit more about who, what, how, or whatever, you should check out “The Beaver Restoration Guidebook” as further research for some more Know-How. It was put together by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, PSU, and the NPLCC. So, I’d say there is some pretty top-notch stuff in there - https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/ToolsForLandowners/RiverScience/Documents/BRG%20v.1.0%20final%20reduced.pdf
Also, if you want some super-sciency ultra-nerdy mc-geek-a-tron Know-How, that is also really kind of cool, then go learn about how beavers could be having an impact on the climate on ScienceDaily - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180829115119.htm
Until next time when we discuss The Copy-Cat Coypu and maybe some other interesting species;
Take it easy, keep it breezy, befriend a beaver, and have a great week!
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