IDENTITY RECORD

Eurasian beaver

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Castor fiber

DescrIption

I am the largest rodent in Europe. I measure about 1.35 m from head to taill and weigh 20 kilos on average. My flat tail, nocturnal activity and ability to swim underwater differentiate me from the coypu (Myocastor coypus).

Behavior

Diet

I eat bark, aquatic plants and young shoots depending on the season. Clues of beaver activity on the river banks include gnawed trees.

Reproduction

I am monogamous and the females of my species give birth on average to one to three kits a year.

Did you know?

I live in a burrow or natural shelter in the bank, furnished with a pile of branches. I only build dams very occasionally which are always smaller than those built by my North American cousins.

Where and when can you find me in the reserve?

Habitat

I am a semi-aquatic animal. I only come onto land to look for food or branches to build my den.

When to spot me

I am mainly active at night.

Conservation status

• Red list of continental mammals in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC).
• Red list of endangered mammals in Alsace: Vulnerable (VU).
• Protected in France.