The
river beaver is the largest member of the rodent family, which lives in
Russia. It can be up to 1 meter long and can weigh from 18 to 30 kg.
The
animal is perfectly adapted to aquatic life. Hair-covering of the
beaver is impenetrable to water: the long rough hair doesn.t allow the
softer and thicker down to become wet. The ears and nostrils of the
beaver have muscles, which contract when the animal is immersed in
water. And the webbed hind paws and spade-like tail allow the beaver to
tack in water easily without much effort.
Zoologists
have counted more than 150 different plants, which make up the beaver.s
diet. Though its favorite food is the bark and branches of aspen,
willow, pit and bird cherry, as well as sedge, meadowsweet, angelica,
cow lily etc.
Beavers
are monogamous animals; males and females make families and bring up
their young together. Females give birth to 2-5 young annually after
105-107 days of pregnancy, which live 2 years with the parents and then
leave their dwelling to live by themselves. The lifetime of a beaver is
10-12 years.