Eurasian beaver

Scientific name: Castor fiber

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Robust body with brown to dark greyish-brown fur. Distinctive flat, scaled tail. Prominent front incisors and powerful forelimbs. Minimal sexual dimorphism.

Size and weight

Adult males 15–25 kg, females 14–20 kg. Body length 75–90 cm, tail 25–30 cm.

Habitat

Eurasian beavers inhabit rivers, streams, and larger lakes with abundant riparian vegetation and trees. Water bodies must maintain stable water levels and provide sufficient vegetation for lodge construction and foraging.

Distribution

Throughout northern and central Europe from Scandinavia to Russia. Preferred habitats are rivers and streams with deciduous or mixed forests.

Diet

Bark of birch, aspen, and rowan trees in winter; summer diet includes herbaceous plants, aquatic vegetation, and grasses.

Behaviour

Nocturnal and crepuscular. Strongly territorial and family-structured, living in groups centred on lodge or burrow. Excellent swimmers; rarely venture far from water.

Hunting tips

Search for freshly felled trees with characteristic angled bite marks and debarked logs. Look for drag trails and footprints in soft riverbank soil. Approach against the wind at dusk or night, using riparian cover; move slowly near the water's edge where sign is visible.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 9 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.