At Anderson Wildlife Control we get asked a lot of questions about different types of animals and which ones are most dangerous. Everyone knows a skunk will spray a horrible smelling liquid and that a raccoon can be rabid but not many people know much about beavers. The reason being beavers are typically very timid and shy and will try to avoid any confrontation with humans or other animals.
However, any animal has the instinct to defend itself if it feels threatened and since beavers have teeth there is the possibility of being bitten if you provoke one.
Beavers are primarily nocturnal and are most known for building dams. Technically beavers are rodents, actually the second largest in the world, and their natural habitat is a stream bed. The beaver works as a keystone species in an ecosystem by creating wetlands that are used by many other species. Beavers will create dams primarily to protect themselves against predators such as wolves and bears.
Beavers will maintain and defend territories that they mark by scent mounds made of mud and debris. If a beaver detects an unfamiliar scent on its territory it becomes very aggressive and violent. Usually beavers will slap their tails on the water to frighten other animals away but if this doesn’t work they won’t hesitate to attack.
While beavers are relatively small they are very territorial and will go to great lengths to protect what is theirs. Humans rarely have confrontations with beavers but if you live near a river or stream and have a pet dog or cat they might unknowingly encroach on a beaver’s territory and start a fight. Beavers can also carry rabies making them a very serious threat to a pet. As with any wild animal it is advised that you do not try to handle one alone and if you are having trouble with beavers on your property contact Anderson Wildlife Control, LLC for fast and effective animal removal.
