Saving Scotland's Species - Beavers

Scotland’s wildlife is amazing, but it's in crisis. We want to see greater protection for all nature and greater commitment to action on species recovery specifically, including for some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife. In today’s blog Paula Baker, Site Manager,  tells us why she's picked Beavers as her favourite Scottish species.

Why are Beavers important to Scotland?

Beavers are a keystone species. They are ecosystem engineers and take positive actions in wetlands for nature and climate in a way humans would not be capable of. If we want to reach Net Zero targets, Beavers are an essential part.  

Tell us about a time you saw a Beaver in real life/up close?

The first time I saw Beavers was over in Argyll last year, where Beavers have been established for a long time. There is a hide and in the daytime, we wandered about the loch and went back in the evening to see if any would come out. After sitting for several hours, we spotted the head and nose of a Beaver gliding along so serenely. Then the other four or five in the lodge also appeared, and all heading in different directions for feeding.

Where do beavers usually live?

Wetlands, lochs, rivers – that’s where you would have found them 400 years ago. We used to build our homes around beaver wetlands because where there are beavers, there would be better water quality, less flooding issues and more fertile land. That’s where some areas of conflict have come from as we’ve drained so much land since beavers were last around, but they really should naturally be in all of our wetlands.

What do Beavers need to survive/thrive?

They need a good variety of food types - not just trees but all sorts of shoots and roots. They eat 15-20 different species at different times of year. They also need at least 70-80cm depth water to feel safe. Disturbance can be an issue, particular from humans. The main cause of death for Beavers is from other Beavers or humans. 

What’s a fun/surprising fact about Beavers?

Their teeth are bright orange because they are enriched with iron. And castoreum – which Beavers use to mark their territory - smells stronger when it rains than when its dry.  

Beaver kits making their way out of the crates at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond Nature Reserve. Beaver Trust

Can you tell us a short personal story about Beavers?

Recently, a family of Beavers was reintroduced into RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond reserve. Being at a live release is hard to beat. Everything about that day - from seeing them being loaded onto quad bikes, lifting them on and off the quad bikes (they weigh a lot!), to letting them come out and do their own thing, was exciting. We wanted/want them to have the most positive experience, and allowed them each to come out of the transport boxes on their own, in their own way. The adults were more confident – quickly sussing out where they are and where they’re going, and the younger ones were a bit more reluctant. But one sat in the long vegetation by my foot – I was frozen still but it was amazing to see one so close. So much work went into making it happen – not many people get the opportunity to be at something like that!

Learn more about our #SaveScotSpecies campaign here, and pick your favourite species here. Don’t forget to send our digital postcard to your MSPs asking them to make species recovery a priority.

Main image: Beaver kit swimming. Beaver Trust.