KNOWLEDGE BASE

This paper describes modifications to a beaver trap. At the time of writing (1983), two traps - the Bailey and the Hancock - were commonly used to capture beavers. The Bailey was better for capturing trap-wary beavers but was limited to shallow water and often sprung without a beaver. The Hancock could be used at all water depths but was better for trapping beavers who were naive to trapping. The paper described amendments to the Bailey trap's release mechanism and lock. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

In March 1976, an outbreak of giardiasis in Washington, USA, was linked to contaminated water. Beavers in the watershed tested positive for Giardia, suggesting that they may have been the source of the contamination. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This study concluded that beavers use scent mounds to mark family territories and to prevent passing beavers from occupying vacant lodges. Colonies found near other colonies created more scent mounds, which were placed along trails, on lodges, and dams. Scientists installed some experimental scent mounds and found that these reduced visits to unoccupied lodges and provoked aggressive responses from the existing beaver residents. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This research aimed to understand what beavers' food preferences were in an area of the USA. The results showed a strong preference for two species called quaking aspen and red maple. On average, beavers consumed around 660 g of woody vegetation per beaver per day. The author estimated that one acre of aspen trees could support 10 beavers for a year. Please note, this resource is not open-access.