Beavers ( Castor canadensis in North America and Castor fiber in Europe) are herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodents known for their ability to build dams and burrows. Their diet consists entirely of plant material , with a preference for bark, leaves, and aquatic plants. This article explores what beavers eat, their feeding habits, and how their diet affects their environment.
1. What do beavers eat?
(1) Bark and cambium (main food source)
Beavers are best known for eating the inner bark (cambium) of trees . They gnaw on trunks and branches to obtain this nutrient-rich layer.
Preferred tree species : poplar, willow, birch, poplar, maple, alder.
Why do they eat tree bark ? The cambium is rich in fiber and nutrients , which are essential for their survival, especially in winter.
(2) Branches, trunk and leaves
Beavers strip leaves and twigs from trees and store them underwater for later consumption.
They feed on soft branches and buds , especially in spring and summer.
(3) Aquatic plants and roots
Beavers also eat water lilies, cattails, pondweed, and reeds .
These plants provide extra vitamins and moisture , especially during the warmer months.
(4) Grasses, shrubs and herbaceous plants
During the warmer seasons, beavers feed on grass, ferns, clover, and wildflowers .
They supplement their food with shrubs and bushes that grow near the riverbank.
2. Seasonal changes in diet
| season | Main food | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Spring and summer | Tree leaves, grass, aquatic plants | Abundant fresh vegetation |
| autumn | Bark, branches, twigs | Preparing for winter food storage |
| winter | Stored branches, bark, cambium | Frozen rivers restrict fresh vegetation. |
Beavers store branches underwater before winter arrives to ensure food supplies when rivers freeze.
3. How do beavers' diets affect their habitats?
(1) Deforestation and its impact on ecosystems
By grazing on trees, beavers create ponds , providing a habitat for aquatic life.
They selectively feed on poplar and willow trees , promoting the growth of new trees and thus helping forest regeneration.
(2) Nutrient cycle
Beavers disperse organic matter into water bodies, enriching the soil and promoting biodiversity.
4. Conclusion
Beavers are strict herbivores , feeding primarily on bark, twigs, leaves, aquatic plants, and grasses . Their diet plays a crucial role in shaping wetland ecosystems , providing habitat for other wildlife. Their feeding and dam-building behaviors make them key ecosystem engineers .
