Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America
and Europe. They are the only members of the family Castoridae,
which contains a single genus, Castor. Genetic research
has shown the European and North American beaver populations
to be distinct species and that hybridization is unlikely.
Beavers are best known for their natural trait of building
dams in rivers, and building lodges in the eventual artificial
pond. They are the second largest group of rodents, after
the capybara, with adult specimens weighing over 25kg
not being uncommon. The European Beaver (Castor fiber)
was hunted almost to extinction in Europe, both for fur,
and for castoreum, a secretion of its scent gland believed
to have medicinal properties. However the beaver is now
being re-introduced throughout Europe.
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