The Scottish Beavers Network - campaigning for the
Reintroduction of the
European Beaver into Scotland

 

Why Do We Want To See European Beavers Reintroduced?

 

Let's start with some beaver facts:

Beavers are a keystone species – a species which affects the survival and abundance of other wildlife in the community in which it lives. There are two species of beaver: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the European beaver (Castor fiber). The European was native to the UK and is the species we are hoping to reintroduce..

How big are European beavers?
They are about the size of a tubby spaniel (25 – 30 kg) measuring 70 – 100 cm in length. Unusually for mammals, the female beaver is the same size or larger than males of the same age. They are uniquely adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with a sleek waterproof coat, large flattened muscular tail and webbed hind feet to provide propulsion underwater.

When do they start breeding and are they around all year?
Beavers live for 7 – 8 years, mate for life and breed from the age of two with one litter of 2 – 3 kits each year. They are highly territorial and live in family groups, they live mainly in freshwater lochs and slow flowing rivers and burns. Beavers are crepuscular, rather than nocturnal meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk throughout the year and do not hibernate.

What do they eat?
Beavers do not eat fish and are completely vegetarian, prefering to munch on mainly aquatic plants, grasses and shrubs during summer months and woody plants in winter. These are often stored underwater to be accessible if the water freezes over. In the woodlands they help to stimulate new growth by gnawing on tree stems and coppicing. This helps to breathe new life into tired forests and creates a diverse age range of trees benefiting woodland management.

Do they build dams?
Beavers are well known for construction skills and building dams in rivers and lodges in the ponds created by their dams. Their ponds and wetlands attract other species such as frogs, toads, water voles, otters, dragonflies, many species of birds and all fresh-water and migratory fish. Dams are rarely greater than 1m in height and are sometimes swept away in times of spate.

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The main reason why we want to see the return of beavers in Scotland is for their ecological importance. Ever since humans caused the extinction of beavers in Scotland around 400 years ago through over-hunting, there has been a major gap in the ecosystem.

Beavers are a crucial component of healthy, functioning wetlands and riparian woodlands because of their ability to create wetland habitat, and also because of the opportunities they create for other species.

Other mammals benefit as otters hunt in the beaver ponds and use abandoned burrows while water shrews and the rapidly decreasing water vole also share beaver burrows.

Dead wood in flooded woodland attracts invertebrates while providing feeding and nesting opportunities for birds. As well as creating a range of new wildlife habitats, damming has a significant impact on water quality throughout the river system. For example, sediments are slowed down and pollutants are oxidised when water seeping through the dam from the pond is aerated.

 

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