Eurasian Beaver

The Eurasian beaver is the largest rodent in Europe, weighing up to 35 kilograms. It has a paddle-shaped, scaly tail and rich brown fur. Compared to its North American relative, it has a narrower snout and is slightly smaller overall. It was once wiped out in many areas, but reintroduction efforts have brought it back to Britain and other parts of Europe. This animal lives partly in water and can be found in slow rivers, streams, and lakes with trees along the banks. It builds complex dams and homes using branches and mud. You can spot signs of beavers by looking for tree stumps they have chewed, often showing a shape like an hourglass, and smooth paths they use to slide into the water. Beavers are mostly active at dawn and dusk. You might see one swimming with just its head above the water, leaving a V-shaped pattern behind. Beavers still live naturally from Britain across Scandinavia and through Eurasia to Mongolia and eastern China.