The European Beaver is a mammal that was hunted to extinction in England, mainly for its fur, and had not been part of the English countryside for over 500 years. However, in 2005 six European Beavers were reintroduced from Bavaria to a large confined area of over 500 acres at Lower Mill Estate near South Cerny in England.

The European Beaver is a semi-aquatic animal because it spends time in water and time on land. It is also referred to as a rodent because it has chisel-like front teeth that grow continually and self-sharpen. It is quite stout and heavy-looking with a coat of coarse dark brown fur on top and yellowy brown fur underneath. It has a long flat tail that is almost paddle-shaped and four short legs. Its back feet are larger than its front feet. It uses its smaller front feet like hands to hold onto food.

European Beavers live in groups of five to eight in ‘lodges’ that are often built in river banks. A lodge is a large tube-like tunnel under the ground which has an entrance under water. European Beavers build dams to keep the water level high so that the entrances to the lodges are always below water. With their strong front teeth, European Beavers can gnaw down large trees to use for their dams.

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Michael Gray, London

Jack Ovenden, Colchester

Alex Crozier, Colchester