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SPECIES PROFILE
European Beaver (Castor fiber)
Castor
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Europe (reintroduced)
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Rivers, lakes, wetlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Castoridae
GENUS
Castor
📋 Description
SIZE
70-100 cm body + tail, 15-30 kg
COLORATION
Brown, flat scaly tail, webbed feet
ADAPTATIONS
Dam building, tree felling, waterproof fur
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rivers, lakes, wetlands
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Europe (reintroduced)
REPRODUCTION
1-4 kits, 1 litter per year
DIET DETAILS
Bark, twigs, aquatic plants
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Historical persecution, habitat fragmentation
💡 Interesting Facts
1
European beavers build dams and lodges that create wetlands. They fell trees with their powerful incisors.
2
They were almost extinct in Europe but have been successfully reintroduced to many countries.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Biebrza National Park Poland
Telemark Norway
Scottish Beaver Trial UK
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round (peak dusk/dawn)
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for lodges and dams on rivers; watch at dusk for swimming beavers.
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