Eurasian Beaver - Eurasesche Biber (Mammalia Luxembourg)

Eurasian Beaver - Eurasesche Biber

Castor fiber

Summary ⁴

The Eurasian beaver or European beaver (Castor fiber) is a species of beaver which was once widespread in Eurasia. It was hunted to near-extinction for both its fur and castoreum; and by 1900, only 1200 beavers survived in eight relict populations in Europe and Asia. Reintroduced through much of its former range, it now occurs from Great Britain to China and Mongolia, although it is absent from Italy, Portugal, the southern Balkans, and the Middle East.

Differences from North American beaver ⁵

Although the Eurasian beaver appears superficially similar to the North American beaver, there are several important differences, chiefest among these the North American beaver has 40 chromosomes, while the Eurasian beaver has 48. The two species are not genetically compatible.

The Eurasian beaver has a larger, less rounded head; a longer, narrower muzzle. The Eurasian beaver also has longer nasal bones, with the widest point being at the end of the snout; in the case of the North American beaver, the widest point is at the middle of the snout. The Eurasian beaver has a triangular nasal opening, unlike those of the North American beavers, which are square. The Eurasian beaver has a narrower, less oval-shaped tail; and shorter shin bones, making it less capable of bipedal locomotion than the North American species.