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A '''beaver''' is large [[rodent]]. It is ''semi-aquatic'': some of the time it lives in [[water]], some of the time it lives on land. Beavers are only found in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. In [[Great Britain]], for example, they have been deliberately re-introduced. In Europe, they almost died off, but they are returning. There are beavers living in the [[Elbe]] and [[Rhone]] [[river]]s, as well as in [[Bavaria]], [[Poland]] and [[Scandinavia]]. Beavers are known for building and keeping [[dam]]s in [[river]]s.

A '''beaver''' is a large [[rodent]]. It is ''semi-aquatic'': some of the time it lives in [[water]], some of the time it lives on land. Beavers are only found in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. In [[Great Britain]], for example, they have been deliberately re-introduced. In Europe, they almost died off, but they are returning. There are beavers living in the [[Elbe]] and [[Rhone]] [[river]]s, as well as in [[Bavaria]], [[Poland]] and [[Scandinavia]]. Beavers are known for building and keeping [[dam]]s in [[river]]s.

Their dams slow down rivers and reduce erosion. The [[Wetland|wetlands]] they create benefit many other species. Special arrangements are needed to let [[salmon]] and other [[migratory]] fish pass the dams to spawn.

Their dams slow down rivers and reduce erosion. The [[Wetland|wetlands]] they create benefit many other species. Special arrangements are needed to let [[salmon]] and other [[migratory]] fish pass the dams to spawn.

There are two different [[species]] of beaver, the American beaver (''C. canadensis'') and the European beaver (''C. fiber'').

There are two different [[species]] of beaver, the American beaver (''C. canadensis'') and the European beaver (''C. fiber'').

== The American beaver ==

== The American beaver ==

This beaver is in [[North America]], in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and in Northern [[Mexico]]. It is the second largest rodent in the world, and the largest found in North America. The largest rodent of the world is the [[capybara]] in [[South America]].

This beaver is in [[North America]], in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and in Northern [[Mexico]]. It is the second largest rodent in the world, and the largest found in North America. The largest rodent in the world is the [[capybara]] in [[South America]].

== The European beaver ==

== The European beaver ==

The European beaver is currently an endangered species. It was hunted almost to extinction. This was done because of its [[fur]], and because of [[castoreum]]. Castoreum is made by a [[gland]], which is also responsible for the smell of the animal.<ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=Gippoliti|year=2002|id=4007|title=Castor fiber|downloaded=May 11, 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened</ref> It is used as a [[tincture]] in some [[perfume]]s<ref name="museesdegrasse.com">International Perfume Museum, Grasse, France, Website: {{cite web |url=http://www.museesdegrasse.com/MIP/fla_ang/mat_prem_10.shtml |title=Welcome in the International Perfume Museum: Raw materials |access-date=2006-02-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070624132157/http://www.museesdegrasse.com/MIP/fla_ang/mat_prem_10.shtml |archive-date=2007-06-24 }}</ref>

The European beaver is currently an [[endangered species]]. It was almost hunted to extinction. It was hunted for its [[fur]], and for [[castoreum]]. Castoreum is made by a [[gland]], which is also responsible for the smell of the animal.<ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=Gippoliti|year=2002|id=4007|title=Castor fiber|downloaded=May 11, 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened</ref> It is used as a [[tincture]] in some [[perfume]]s<ref name="museesdegrasse.com">International Perfume Museum, Grasse, France, Website: {{cite web |url=http://www.museesdegrasse.com/MIP/fla_ang/mat_prem_10.shtml |title=Welcome in the International Perfume Museum: Raw materials |access-date=2006-02-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070624132157/http://www.museesdegrasse.com/MIP/fla_ang/mat_prem_10.shtml |archive-date=2007-06-24 }}</ref>

People are currently (2007) reintroducing the beaver, because the important role of the beaver for the ecology of rivers was discovered.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwf.at/Projekte/artenschutz/project141 |title=Europäischer Biber |publisher=[[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF Österreich]] |access-date=August 24, 2006 |archive-date=February 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214001212/http://www.wwf.at/Projekte/artenschutz/project141/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Beaver dams (or the small lakes that form) provide a habitat for many species.

People are currently (2007) reintroducing the beaver, because the important role of the beaver for the ecology of rivers was discovered.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwf.at/Projekte/artenschutz/project141 |title=Europäischer Biber |publisher=[[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF Österreich]] |access-date=August 24, 2006 |archive-date=February 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214001212/http://www.wwf.at/Projekte/artenschutz/project141/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Beaver dams (or the small lakes that form) provide a habitat for many species.

Early visitors that met Native Americans saw them wearing animal skin blankets. The fur on these blankets were good for [[felt]]ing. The Europeans wanted felt [[hat]]s, and the Native Americans wanted metal: so, fur trading began.

Early visitors that met Native Americans saw them wearing animal skin blankets. The fur on these blankets were good for [[felt]]ing. The Europeans wanted felt [[hat]]s, and the Native Americans wanted metal: so, fur trading began.

Beaver was the most popular fur for hats. At that time in North America, there were about sixty million beavers. Only the soft inside fur was used for [[felt]]ing. The best time for collecting the beaver's fur was winter, when the fur was thickest. It was also a good time to hunt, since the beaver stayed close to its home in the winter and was easy to catch. The [[fur trade]] gave money to the European traders. The Indians who caught the beavers got the metal tools and other high technology items they wanted, until the beavers were mostly gone.

Beaver was the most popular fur for hats. At that time in North America, there were about sixty million beavers. Only the soft inside fur was used for [[felt]]ing. The best time for collecting the beaver's fur was winter, when the fur was thickest. It was also a good time to hunt, since the beaver stayed close to its home in the winter and was easy to catch. The [[fur trade]] gave money to the European traders. The Native Americans who caught the beavers got the metal tools and other high technology items they wanted, until the beavers were mostly gone.

== Images ==

== Images ==

<gallery>

<gallery>

File:Western pocket gopher.jpg|WESTERN POCKET GOPHER

File:Western pocket gopher.jpg|WESTERN POCKET GOPHER

File:Beaver skeleton.jpg|Mounted North American beaver skeleton

File:Beaver skeleton.jpg|Mounted North American beaver skeleton.

File:Picture Natural History - No 40 41 42 - Beaver feet and tail.png|The fore foot, hind foot, and tail of a beaver

File:Picture Natural History - No 40 41 42 - Beaver feet and tail.png|The fore foot, hind foot, and tail of a beaver.

File:Beaver tail print on snow.jpg|Beaver tail and feet prints on snow

File:Beaver tail print on snow.jpg|Beaver tail and footprints on snow.

File:Europäischer Biber, Elbebiber (Castor fiber albicus).ogv|Eurasian beavers swimming and foraging

File:Europäischer Biber, Elbebiber (Castor fiber albicus).ogv|Eurasian beavers swimming and foraging.

</gallery>

</gallery>

== References ==

== References ==

{{wikispecies|Castor}}

{{wikispecies|Castor}}

* [http://www.ecology.info/beaver-ecology.htm Ecology of the Beaver] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217140758/http://www.ecology.info/beaver-ecology.htm |date=2020-02-17 }}

* [http://www.ecology.info/beaver-ecology.htm Ecology of the Beaver] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217140758/http://www.ecology.info/beaver-ecology.htm |date=2020-02-17 }}

* [http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/o1_e.cfm Canadian Heritage - the beaver as a national symbol]

* [http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/o1_e.cfm Canadian Heritage - the beaver as a national symbol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430110550/http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/o1_e.cfm |date=2007-04-30 }}

* [http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/ugafax/QL737xR6xD84 The romance of the beaver;] being the history of the beaver in the western hemisphere, by A. Radclyffe Dugmore. Illustrated with photographs from life and drawings by the author. Publisher: Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott company; London, W. Heinemann 1914 ''(a searchable facsimile at the University of Georgia Libraries)''

* [http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/ugafax/QL737xR6xD84 The romance of the beaver;] being the history of the beaver in the western hemisphere, by A. Radclyffe Dugmore. Illustrated with photographs from life and drawings by the author. Publisher: Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott company; London, W. Heinemann 1914 ''(a searchable facsimile at the University of Georgia Libraries)''