WATER MAMMALS in HUNGARY BEAVERS Made by: DÁvid Böttkös

Eurasian beaver or European beaver (Castor fiber) The Eurasian beaver or European beaver (Castor fiber) is a species of beavers which was once widespread in Eurasia. It was hunted to near-extinction for both its fur and castoreum; and by 1900, only 1200 beavers survived in eight relict populations in Europe and Asia.

The fur colour of Eurasian beavers varies geographically. They are between brown and blackish-brown. They weigh an average of 18 kg. The head-and-body length is 80–100 cm and the tail length is 25–50 cm. Eurasian beavers have one litter per year, between late December and May. Beaver pairs are monogamous. They stay together for several breeding seasons. In many European nations, beavers became extinct, but reintroduction and protection has led to gradual recovery.

Beavers are a keystone species helping support the ecosystem of which they are a part. They create wetlands, which increase biodiversity and provide habitat for many rare species such as water voles, otters, and water shrews. They coppice waterside trees and shrubs so that they regrow as dense shrubs which provide cover for birds and other animals. Beaver dams trap sediment and improve water quality, and recharge groundwater tables and increase cover and forage for trout and salmon. Beaver ponds have been shown to have a beneficial effect on trout and salmon populations.

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