International Beaver Day

International Beaver Day is an international holiday dedicated to beavers. These animals surprise and delight many people. They are known to us as industrious builders of timber dams. Thanks to their large and sharp teeth, beavers easily gnaw through wood, selecting the necessary length and thickness of sticks and logs. The holiday is celebrated annually on April 7. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about beavers and to observe them in the wild, if you can.

History

The history of the holiday begins in 2009 when it was established by Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife. This organization includes representatives from the United States, Canada, and other countries. Its main activities include monitoring beaver populations, helping the animals, and funding programs to increase the numbers of these animals in the wild. The date of the celebration was chosen in honor of Dorothy Richards, who was born on April 7, 1894. This woman worked in the field of conservation and devoted half a century of her life to studying beavers!

Beavers live in freshwater bodies of water, provided there is sufficient vegetation nearby, which they can use for building. They feed on the bark and shoots of trees, as well as on herbaceous plants. Beavers were once very numerous, but between the 19th and 20th centuries, their numbers declined significantly due to hunting by humans for meat and fur. Since the 21st century, the situation has improved due to the efforts of environmentalists and animal welfare organizations, but the beaver population situation still needs attention in the coming decades.

Interesting Facts

• For the safety of their dwellings, beavers make their entrances underwater.
• There are only two kinds of beavers: the common beaver and the Canadian beaver.
• The broad, furless tail of beavers has three functions: it reflects their mood (when they are aggressive, they slap their tail against the ground or water), serves as a rudder when swimming, and helps regulate body temperature.

How to Celebrate

Visit protected nature parks to see beavers in their natural habitat. Learn more interesting facts about these animals online. What are their population numbers today?

Spread the word on social media. Let more people know about it!

When is International Beaver Day in 2025?

International Beaver Day is observed on April 7 each year.

Observations