KNOWLEDGE BASE

In this study, scientists researched the behaviour and habitat of a fish species called the Salish Sucker in British Colombia, Canada. One of their findings was that this species rarely crossed beaver dams.

This study compared beaver willow-eating patterns and willow tree distribution on two rivers in Colorado, USA: one free-flowing, the other whose flow is regulated by a man-made dam. Despite similar willow abundance in both rivers, beavers cut significantly more willow on the latter river because the regulated flow created island patches near the water, making the willow more easily available to beavers.

Researchers investigated beaver wetlands in New York state to see whether plant species richness is influenced more by landscape-scale factors or by factors within each wetland. They found that both were important: wetlands with higher water drainage rates had higher species richness but the time since beavers had left a site was also an important factor.

Six pairs of Eurasian beavers in Norway had their daily routines studied over two years, with researchers tracking the time spent traveling, eating, and being in their lodge. They found that males spent more time traveling than females, but otherwise, there were no significant differences. While the study had a small sample size, it provides evidence that male and female beavers share similar responsibilities in caring for their offspring. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

Researchers sought to understand beavers' tree-cutting behaviour around a specific lake in central Ohio. No single tree-cutting strategy emerged, instead strategies appeared to be adapted to factors including: distance from water, tree size, and slope steepness. Where slopes were steeper, beavers mainly cut trees from the uphill side. Beavers cut smaller trees mainly from the downhill side.