Ahh fall is in full swing. As I sit on my balcony sipping coffee feeling blessed to be surrounded by such beauty. The colors of fall are so vibrant this year. Perhaps that is one of the benefits from all of the rain we have been encountering. Before I move onto the main topic, Beaver.
I thought I would re-cap some of the preventative techniques you may implement over the next few weeks as you begin to see the squirrels, raccoons and skunks looking for places to hunker down for the winter. These items include:
- If anyone is feeding the wildlife, ask them to stop.
- Trim trees 10 feet away from your home.
- Seal openings at the joints of siding, overhanging eaves and where pipes and utility lines enter the home.
Cover your vents. - Install chimney caps.
Fun Beaver Fact
The largest beaver dam ever found was located in NE Fort McMurry, Alberta, Canada. It was 2,750′ long and it is the only animal created structure to be seen from space.
Beavers Facts
Ok, Beaver fact: they are amazing animals. Beavers are nocturnal and semi-aquatic. They are the second largest rodent in the world (Capybara being the largest growing up to 150 lbs). Another beaver fact, adults usually weigh 35 to 60 lbs. They are 3 to 4 feet long. They have a large flat tale, webbed hind feet, and bright orange front teeth that never stop growing. Beavers keep them from getting too long by their constant labor of chewing and gnawing. One of the most interesting beaver facts are their tale. Beaver’s use their flat tale three specific ways, to prop when sitting or standing up, a rudder for swimming and to slap the water to warn others of danger.
Beavers are highly skilled at working underwater. Their bodies are constructed to work proficiently underwater:
- Their front teeth stick out of their closed mouths so that they may work underwater without swallowing water.
- Their ears and noses have valves that they can close before submerging themselves under water.
- Their tails are used as rudders.
- They waterproof their thick fur by coating it with castoreum, an oily secretion from it’s scent glands.
If you would like assistance with any beaver problem please contact us at 1-855-945-1212 to schedule an appointment.
Beaver’s favorite foods include leaves and green bark from aspen and other fast-growing trees plus water lily tubers, clover and apples. Beaver pruning has advantages as it will stimulate willows, cottonwood and aspen to grow bushier the next spring.
Beaver are monogamous and mate for life. Both parents cooperate in rearing the young. They will typically mate between January – March, giving birth from May – July. They may have 1 to 8 kits, but typically 2 to 4. Newborn kits are fully furred, able to walk and swim. The young typically remain with their parents for approximately 2 to 3 years.
Although they are incredible water engineers, they can create havoc in any area they decide to call home. Beavers build dams, by building these dams, they change river flows and flood out areas that might otherwise remain dry. Their huts or dams may plug culverts, drainage ditches and drainpipes, which can flood or wash out roads or driveways. Beaver dams also force water to collect against roads. This may saturate the road, causing pothole, settling and instability. Flood damage from dams may damage crops or trees.
Finally the last beaver fact, in the open wilderness beavers reliably and economically maintain wetlands that sponge up floodwater’s, alleviate droughts, lesson erosion, raises the water table and acts as “earth’s kidneys” to purify water. However, If they have invaded your private land and created damage, give us a call at 1-855-945-1212 and we will professionally and humanely resolve your beaver issue.
I hope you enjoyed these fun beavers facts, if you want to receive more animal facts sign up in our newsletter.
Introducing New Services for the Fall:
- Gutter cleaning
- Gutter cover installation
- Attic Insulation installation
Stay tuned for additional services in the spring.
To learn more about a variety of critters visit our wildlife resources.
You can also find specific diseases transmitted by wildlife.
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We appreciate any assistance
Our business is based in Ulster County, NY. As many in our service area, Ulster County was devastated by the storm. If you are able, please visit New Paltz Flood Aid for information about sending donations, whether they be food, clothing, household items or monetary-
This is a shot of 299 as you head out past the Wallkill River towards the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. The Wallkill View Farms is buried under water in the distance.
Thank you in advance for any contribution made.
Community Wildlife Programs and Upcoming Events
Mohonk Preserve
10/15/2011 “Annual Ridge Hike” 6:30 am – 5 pm.
10/22/2011 “Fall Foliage Hike” 10 am to 12 pm.
10/25/2011 “Toddler on the Trail – In Search of the Glaciers” 10 am to 12 noon.
10/28/2011 “Northern Saw-whet Owls – Mohonks Silent Visitor” 7 pm- 8:30 pm.
Museum of Hudson Highlands
10/29/2011 & 10/30/2011 “I Spy Halloween Nature Trail” 10 am to 2 pm.
Weinberg Nature Center
10/22/2011 “Halloween Bat Owl Prowl” 6 pm to 9 pm.
Beczak Environmental Education Center
10/15/2011 ” Fall Foliage Landscapes” 11 am to 12 pm.
10/29/2011 “Creepy Crawlers” 11 am to 12 pm.
10/31/2011 “Boo-Zak” 5 pm to 7 pm.
The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech 2005
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