Castor canadensis

Jenkins, Stephen H.; Busher, Peter E.

doi:10.2307/3503787

Cited by 117 publications

(88 citation statements)

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“…We are unaware of other published observations of Beavers feeding on animal matter (see Jenkins and Busher 1979;Baker and Hill 2003). Given their morphological and physiological adaptations for feeding on woody and herbaceous vegetation (e.g., massive skull, dentition and large incisors, bacteria in cecum; Jenkins and Busher 1979;Novak 1987;Baker and Hill 2003), this observation seemed significant in the context of Beaver foraging ecology. We assume that ingestion of salmon muscle tissue occurred for at least one of the three observations since chewing was seen.…”

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confidence: 87%

“…However, such observations are lacking for Beavers (Castor canadensis). The Beaver is considered a generalist herbivore, relying primarily on woody and herbaceous materials throughout its range to meet its energy requirements (Jenkins and Busher 1979;Novak 1987;Baker and Hill 2003;Muller-Schwarze and Sun 2003). Unlike other herbivorous mammals that are known to ingest animal matter to meet seasonal food shortages or sex and agespecific nutrient requirements (Robbins 1993), observations of carnivory are lacking for Beavers.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Beavers, <em>Castor canadensis</em>, Feeding on Salmon Carcasses: Opportunistic Use of a Seasonally Superabundant Food Source

Gleason

Hoffman²,

Wendland

2005

Can Field Nat

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We report observations of Beavers (Castor canadensis) foraging and feeding on discarded Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) carcasses within the confines of the Susitna River drainage in southcentral Alaska on three separate occasions between 1999 and 2004. In all three instances, Beavers were observed actively seeking out freshly discarded carcasses or transporting “fresh” salmon carcasses in their mouths. In one instance, Beavers were seen using their dextrous forefeet to “handle” chunks of salmon while hunched over carcasses and in this case we actually witnessed Beavers “chewing” and ingestion was assumed. In the other two instances, Beavers were observed swimming with salmon carcasses in their mouths. Though unique within the framework of Beaver foraging ecology, we suggest this behavior may be a fairly common strategy employed by Beavers in Alaskan streams and rivers to take advantage of a seasonally superabundant source of protein.

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confidence: 87%

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confidence: 99%

Beavers, <em>Castor canadensis</em>, Feeding on Salmon Carcasses: Opportunistic Use of a Seasonally Superabundant Food Source

Gleason

Hoffman²,

Wendland

2005

Can Field Nat

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“…Although Cockrum (1952) suggests that modern Kansas beaver populations are descended from isolated colonies that escaped extirpation in north-central and northwestern Kansas, in general, the recovery of North American beaver populations during the 20 th century involved extensive re-locations (Jenkins and Busher 1979). Therefore, indigenous southcentral Kansas riparian tree species also may be evolutionarily novel to our beavers.…”

Section: Maclura Pomifera Is Native To Texas and Extreme Southern Oklmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns in Beaver Herbivory in South-Central Kansas Riparian Woodlands

Crisler

Russell

2010

Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science

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Beaver (Castor canadensis) herbivory can strongly affect the physiognomy and successional dynamics of forests and woodlands near bodies of water. In the central and southern Great Plains, the riparian zones that occur in a grassland / cropland matrix are foci of biodiversity and beaver activity, but little is known about patterns of beaver damage in these areas. We conducted a regional survey of beaver girdling of trees in riparian woodlands in south-central Kansas to determine 1) how the frequency of girdling was related to distance from streams, 2) whether there were differences among tree species in the frequency of girdling and, if so, which species were damaged most and 3) how the probability of beaver girdling varied with tree diameter. The frequency of girdling of trees declined more rapidly with distance from water (< 10 m) than in most northern ecosystems where beaver foraging patterns often have been quantified. Damage occurred significantly more frequently on Celtis occidentalis, Morus rubra and Salix sp. than on Maclura pomifera, Catalpa speciosa and Ulmus sp. Beavers avoided very small-and largediameter stems, but within the range of stem diameters that beavers gnawed, the probability of girdling decreased with increasing stem diameter. Distance to the stream did not alter the distribution of girdling among tree species nor did it change the relationship between girdling probability and stem diameter. In south-central Kansas riparian woodlands, beavers have the potential to alter woodland physiognomy by reducing the density of the sapling-small adult tree layer. Further, their strong preferences among tree species suggest the potential to alter tree species composition by affecting regeneration patterns. However, at most sites these effects will be weak >10 m from streams.3

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“…In 1979-1980Fullerton (1980 groundsearched for beaver colonies in the Warren/Jonas sample area and found only one occupied site at Lost Lake. Jonas did not record this site as active.…”

Section: Previous Beaver Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%