In the peaceful rivers and clean forests of the United Kingdom, there is a fantastic animal making a comeback – the European Beaver. These smart and hardworking animals have been a part of the UK's nature for many years. They've played a big role in shaping the land and helping different animals and plants. Today, we'll learn about these amazing creatures and how they are changing the British countryside.
Beavers used to be common in the UK you might even remember them from the very famous book called "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. But a long time ago, people hunted them for their fur, a special oil called castoreum, and their meat (and even thought of them as "fish" so Catholics could eat them on holy days), and they had to compete with farmers for space. Because of this, beavers disappeared from Britain and many other places in Europe. The last time someone saw a beaver in Britain was in 1789 when one was killed near York. But now, thanks to people who work to take care of nature, beavers are coming back in some parts of the UK, like Scotland and southwest England.
The European beaver looks a lot like its North American cousin. They both look similar and do similar things in their environments, but they are different from each other when it comes to their genes. Even though they look the same, they can't breed babies together as their genes are too different. The American beaver separated from the European beaver about 7.5 million years ago.
Beavers are distant cousins of kangaroo rats and pocket gophers. They are the second largest animals in the rodent family, and definitely the biggest one in Europe. European beavers are a bit smaller than their American relatives but can still weigh up to 30 kilograms. You can easily recognise them because they have thick, brown fur and flat tails. These wide, scaly tails help them swim and they use it to warn other beavers of danger by slapping the water.
Beavers mostly come out at night, so they are active when it's dark. They are excellent swimmers because they have webbed feet and huge tails. They can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes. Their homes and dams are like fantastic buildings, carefully made.
One thing that beavers are famous for is building dams. Dams have many jobs. They make deep pools where beavers can be safe from animals that want to eat them and where they can find food in the winter.
Beavers don't just build dams; they also make special homes called lodges. These lodges are often near the dams. They are cosy places where beavers rest and raise their babies. The lodges are smartly designed, with underwater doors to keep them safe from animals on land.
By Per Harald Olsen - User made., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=944464
Beavers are "ecosystem engineers." This means they change the place they live to make it good for many animals and plants. Their dams create homes for animals like frogs, bugs, and birds. They also help the land hold more water, which stops flooding in some places further down the river. Beavers eat tree bark and branches by gnawing on them. This helps change the land, making new space for different plants and animals to live.
Beavers coming back to the UK is a win for nature. They help make the water cleaner, stop flooding, and make the land better for many animals and plants. But sometimes, they can cause problems for farmers and cause local floods. People who take care of nature are working to find a way for beavers and people to live together without problems.
The European Beaver coming back to the UK shows us how amazing nature is and how much people care about it. These beautiful animals are changing the land, making wetlands better, and helping nature grow. This is a great reason to celebrate the beauty of our world and remember why it's important to live with all the animals in the countryside. So, let's keep loving and protecting these incredible beavers and their important work in the UK.
Check your understanding
Where are European Beavers making a comeback?
Why did beavers disappear from the United Kingdom and many parts of Europe in the past?
What is the primary difference between European Beavers and their North American relatives, and why can't they breed together?
What is the role of beaver dams, and why are they important for the animals themselves?
How do beavers help the environment and what is the impact of their activities on the land?
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Vocabulary
Castoreum: Castoreum is a special oil produced by beavers and used in perfumes, medicines, foods, and even to flavour tobacco. It's a substance with a strong, pleasant scent.
Rodent: A rodent is a type of mammal characterised by continuously growing incisors (front teeth) that they use for gnawing. Common rodents include mice, rats, and squirrels.
Hybridisation: Refers to the process of breeding or mating between two different species or subspecies to produce offspring with a mix of characteristics from both parents.
Ecosystem engineers: Ecosystem engineers are species that significantly modify their environment to create habitats that benefit other species. Beavers, in this context, are considered ecosystem engineers because their dam-building activities create wetland habitats for various wildlife.
Nocturnal: Nocturnal animals are those that are primarily active during the night and sleep during the day.
Webbed feet: Webbed feet are feet with skin that stretches between the toes or fingers, creating a sort of natural "paddle." This adaptation helps animals like beavers swim more effectively.
Underwater entrances: These are entrances to beaver lodges or homes that are located beneath the water's surface, providing safety from land-based predators.
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