Beavers are renowned for their ability to build dams, lodges, and canals using branches, mud, and stones. These constructions slow down water flow, creating wetlands that improve water quality, reduce flooding, and increase biodiversity. Their activities encourage the growth of aquatic plants, provide shelter for fish and amphibians, and offer feeding and nesting grounds for birds and mammals. The presence of beavers can therefore lead to healthier and more resilient ecosystems.
Known as ecosystem engineers, Eurasian Beavers play a vital role in shaping their environment, creating habitats that support a wide variety of other species both on land and in water.
Discover more about the Beaver
When to see
Beavers are most active overnight, coming out of their lodges early evening and spending their time foraging, grooming and maintaining lodges and dams. They generally follow this pattern all year round, with the lighter evenings in spring and summer providing good opportunities to spot them. Beavers kits are born in the spring and after spending a couple of months learning how to swim and dive, they can be seen out with the parents from July/August time.
Where to see
Beavers live in freshwater and will build their lodges in the bank at the side of a loch or river. They dive to enter/exit the lodge and will generally emerge in the water several metres away from the lodge. Keep your eyes peeled for them rising silently to the surface of the water, or for a wake which forms behind them as they swim.
Beavers can be observed in Scotland on lochs in Knapdale, Argyll (home of the original beaver release and trial), Argaty Beaver Project, the Tay River catchment, Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Did you know?
A fully grown beaver can weigh up to 30kg! A beaver’s front teeth are orange due to a high iron content in the enamel, which makes them strong enough to gnaw through wood. Being rodents means their teeth are constantly growing and it is the gnawing on wood that keeps them sharp and a manageable size.
When to see
Beavers are most active overnight, coming out of their lodges early evening and spending their time foraging, grooming and maintaining lodges and dams. They generally follow this pattern all year round, with the lighter evenings in spring and summer providing good opportunities to spot them. Beavers kits are born in the spring and after spending a couple of months learning how to swim and dive, they can be seen out with the parents from July/August time.
Where to see
Beavers live in freshwater and will build their lodges in the bank at the side of a loch or river. They dive to enter/exit the lodge and will generally emerge in the water several metres away from the lodge. Keep your eyes peeled for them rising silently to the surface of the water, or for a wake which forms behind them as they swim.
Beavers can be observed in Scotland on lochs in Knapdale, Argyll (home of the original beaver release and trial), Argaty Beaver Project, the Tay River catchment, Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Did you know?
A fully grown beaver can weigh up to 30kg! A beaver’s front teeth are orange due to a high iron content in the enamel, which makes them strong enough to gnaw through wood. Being rodents means their teeth are constantly growing and it is the gnawing on wood that keeps them sharp and a manageable size.
When to see
Beavers are most active overnight, coming out of their lodges early evening and spending their time foraging, grooming and maintaining lodges and dams. They generally follow this pattern all year round, with the lighter evenings in spring and summer providing good opportunities to spot them. Beavers kits are born in the spring and after spending a couple of months learning how to swim and dive, they can be seen out with the parents from July/August time.
Where to see
Beavers live in freshwater and will build their lodges in the bank at the side of a loch or river. They dive to enter/exit the lodge and will generally emerge in the water several metres away from the lodge. Keep your eyes peeled for them rising silently to the surface of the water, or for a wake which forms behind them as they swim.
Beavers can be observed in Scotland on lochs in Knapdale, Argyll (home of the original beaver release and trial), Argaty Beaver Project, the Tay River catchment, Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Did you know?
A fully grown beaver can weigh up to 30kg! A beaver’s front teeth are orange due to a high iron content in the enamel, which makes them strong enough to gnaw through wood. Being rodents means their teeth are constantly growing and it is the gnawing on wood that keeps them sharp and a manageable size.
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Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Wester Camerorie, Ballieward, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3PR