The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), also known as the European beaver, is a rodent species widely distributed across Eurasia, with a population that grew to over 1.5 million by 2020. Once nearly extinct due to hunting for fur and castoreum, their numbers dwindled to about 1,200 in the early 20th century. However, they have since been reintroduced across much of their former range, including regions from Western and Eastern Europe to Russia, China, and Mongolia, with about half of the population in Russia. The Eurasian beaver is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Fur color varies by region; in Belarus, it is typically light chestnut-rust, while in parts of Russia, it can be blackish-brown or a mix of both. The Eurasian beaver is one of the largest rodents, measuring 80–100 cm (31–39 inches) in length and weighing between 11–30 kg (24–66 lbs).
As a keystone species, beavers create wetlands that support diverse wildlife, including the European water vole and Eurasian otter. They build dams that trap sediment, improve water quality, and increase habitat for fish like trout and salmon. Their presence also enhances the habitat for bats by creating navigable spaces in forests.
Eurasian beavers typically have one litter per year, with a gestation period of about 107 days. They are monogamous and usually reproduce at three years of age. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic and riverbank plants, including tubers and tree bark, consuming about 20% of their body weight daily.
