Beavers change woods into meadows

Pair of Canadian beavers find sector of river, where would be possible to build embankment and water tank. In the middle of this small lake he builds a big house for its family. He makes a hometown for 15 animals- parents, young ones and young ones of the last season.

The building activity of a good beaver family can change wooded valley of river very quickly to big fertile meadows. Beaver water tank must be quite deep, because all exits of the beaver’s house have to be under the water level. When all exits are under the water level predators like bear or lynx do not have a chance chance to catch them.

The dike walls consist of small trees, limbs and stones. They stick up about 1.2meter over the water top. During the building of dike the beavers are removing all small trees. If the fallen trees are away from the water beavers build channel and through this channel they float trees. Beavers cut trees with big and sharp front teeth, and they could cut a tree with 50 cm diameter.

Their clever front pads help them to dig and catch items; their rear pads with membranes and the tail help them in water. Even the beavers are crushing the trees; their building activities also have some advantages. When they are removing the mire from bottom of river they uncover some animals.

These animals are food for fish. During digging, the seeds of water plants are diffused this process help to create new surfaces for vegetation. Plants are helping to make a good shelter against predators. Farmers and hunters do not like beavers, because of the rise of water is flooding trees and lands.

Beavers dams can bring profit to neighboring countries. They secure the reach of water. When is the ground of beaver’s tank fouling by the alluvium the beaver’s family leave their home. The lake changes to a swamp, new plants will take roots and finally they create a new meadow.

Written by: Michal Barta  

Update 11. november 2004
Ing. Lýdia Haliaková