What Do Beavers Eat?

Beavers are some of the most iconic and fascinating creatures in North America. They are known for their industrious attitude, constructing dams in streams and rivers to manipulate flows of water. They are also known for their unique diet. So what exactly do beavers eat?

Types of Food

Beavers are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They are primarily nocturnal, coming out at night to search for food. Their diet consists of a variety of plants, tree bark, and aquatic vegetation such as water lilies and cattails. Beavers also eat a variety of fruits, such as apples, peas, and corn. They will even come up onto land to forage for wild berries and nuts when the season is right.

Adaptations for Eating

Beavers have evolved to have some remarkable adaptations for a life consuming mainly bark and other hard vegetation. They have very thick, hard coats of fur protect them from the cold of icy streams and rivers, as well as the sharpness of tree bark while they are eating. They even have lips at the back of their mouths so they can nibble on food without using their teeth! Beavers also have sharp front teeth and powerful jaws that help them break branches from trees and shred bark from logs.

Gathering and Storage

Beavers have impressive gathering and storing habits. Not only do they gather and store food for the winter months, but they will also gather and store twigs and branches for their dams. They can carry huge sticks in their mouths and use their powerful tails to help propel them through the water. They will also store food in their lodges, which can be accessible even when the waters around their homes are frozen.

All in all, beavers are truly impressive creatures with a unique and varied diet. This diet helps them survive in their aquatic habitats and their amazing adaptations allow them to gather their food and build their dams. Beavers certainly deserve our respect and admiration for how they live and survive in the wild!