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    Beaver Fact Sheet PDF

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    Lisa Schnellinger
    Beavers were nearly eliminated from Georgia due to unregulated trapping and habitat loss but were successfully restored in the 1940s. Beavers build lodges or dens and dams, and through these structures they create wetlands that provide habitat for many species. While beavers provide ecological benefits, they can also damage trees and cause flooding, so trapping or shooting may be used for control when needed. Beavers are now thriving in Georgia and their fur remains economically valuable, though less so than in northern states.

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    Beaver Fact Sheet PDF

    Uploaded by

    Lisa Schnellinger
    226 views1 page
    Beavers were nearly eliminated from Georgia due to unregulated trapping and habitat loss but were successfully restored in the 1940s. Beavers build lodges or dens and dams, and through these structures they create wetlands that provide habitat for many species. While beavers provide ecological benefits, they can also damage trees and cause flooding, so trapping or shooting may be used for control when needed. Beavers are now thriving in Georgia and their fur remains economically valuable, though less so than in northern states.

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    Beavers were nearly eliminated from Georgia due to unregulated trapping and habitat loss but were successfully restored in the 1940s. Beavers build lodges or dens and dams, and through these structures they create wetlands that provide habitat for many species. While beavers provide ecological benefits, they can also damage trees and cause flooding, so trapping or shooting may be used for control when needed. Beavers are now thriving in Georgia and their fur remains economically valuable, though less so than in northern states.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    226 views1 page

    Beaver Fact Sheet PDF

    Uploaded by

    Lisa Schnellinger
    Beavers were nearly eliminated from Georgia due to unregulated trapping and habitat loss but were successfully restored in the 1940s. Beavers build lodges or dens and dams, and through these structures they create wetlands that provide habitat for many species. While beavers provide ecological benefits, they can also damage trees and cause flooding, so trapping or shooting may be used for control when needed. Beavers are now thriving in Georgia and their fur remains economically valuable, though less so than in northern states.

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    of 1

    The Georgia Department of Natural Resources

    Wildlife Resource Division (WRD)


    BEAVER FACT SHEET

    HISTORY LODGES, DENS AND DAMS


    Beavers (Castor canadensis) were almost eliminated from Beavers create their own shelter in the form of either bank
    Georgia because of unregulated trapping and habitat loss. dens or lodges. Dens are created by digging a series of
    Wildlife professionals of the 1940’s conducted restoration holes in the banks of lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks or
    efforts that were quickly successful. As the beaver streams. If banks are not suitable for digging, beavers will
    population expanded, management regulations were opt to pile up sticks and form a lodge. Entrances to the
    adjusted to permit a legal harvest. Today, beavers are lodge or den are submerged while the denning area is 1-2
    thriving statewide, harvest demands are low, and there is feet above the water level. The beaver’s most famous
    no closed season on taking beavers in Georgia. signature is the dam. Beaver dams serve to stabilize water
    levels yielding protection to both beavers and their homes
    HABITAT AND RANGE as well as facilitating access to food.
    Beavers are found throughout North America and
    statewide in Georgia wherever suitable habitat exists. ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
    Present in most areas with a year-round water flow, From an ecological standpoint, beavers are one of the most
    beavers are found in streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and important animals in Georgia. Ponds or wetlands created
    low lying land or swamps along flood-prone creek and by beavers provide excellent habitat for numerous plants
    river bottoms. Beavers occasionally are found in roadside and animals, as well as provide critical nesting or foraging
    ditches, drainage ditches, and sewage ponds and are areas for numerous species of waterfowl and other
    becoming more common in urban areas. migratory birds. Beaver created wetlands also serve as a
    filtration system trapping sediments and improving water
    PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS quality. Landowners may benefit from having beaver
    Members of the Order Rodentia (rodents) and Family ponds on their property through improved hunting, fishing
    Castoridae, beavers are North America’s largest rodents. and bird watching opportunities.
    Considered semi-aquatic animals, beavers live on both
    land and in water. Their broad flat tails are used for NUISANCE
    stability while sitting, feeding or chewing trees. In water, Beavers sometimes create impressive wetlands that
    the tail serves as a warning device when slapped on the conflict with people’s use of the land. Frequently beavers
    water and as a rudder for swimming. Sexes appear impound streams creating flooded bottomlands, pastures or
    indistinguishable from visual observation. crops. Numerous trees are chewed in areas of beaver
    activity resulting in damaged or dead trees. Beavers chew
    DIET on almost any tree or plant, including desirable timber,
    The herbivorous diet of beavers varies seasonally. During planted crops, or valuable landscaping. The most effective
    the winter months, preferred woody vegetation includes way to control beaver damage is through shooting or
    sweet gum, ash, willows, poplar, cottonwoods, pines and trapping. However, other actions such as fencing and
    fruit trees; however beavers will chew most trees. During drainage devices can work in certain situations.
    the spring and summer, beavers relish aquatic plants and
    lush tender green shoots or plants. FURBEARER VALUE
    During the 1700’s and 1800’s beaver fur was one of the
    REPRODUCTION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE most widely and intensively sought natural resource in
    Beavers are social animals and usually live in family units North America. Their fur was used for clothing, especially
    called colonies. A single colony may contain a breeding hats. The oil from beaver castor glands was an essential
    adult pair and both yearling and juvenile offspring. component of many high quality perfumes. Today,
    Breeding in Georgia typically occurs in October through beavers are a valued fur resource worldwide. However, in
    March. Offspring are born 105-107 days following comparison to northern furs the Georgia beaver is less
    breeding. Beavers become sexually mature at two years of desirable resulting in lower pelt prices.
    age and will then produce one to four kits (young)
    annually. ADDITIONAL WRD PUBLICATIONS
    Beaver Management and Control In Georgia, 2002

    For more information, contact a WRD Game Management Office or call (770) 918-6416. Revised 10/03

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