DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OTTERS AND BEAVERS
Superficially, it may not seem like a difference between otters and beavers at first glance. However, the beaver is a relative of the rat. Although they retain very similar traits, their general differences in origin lead to different behaviors and different study characteristics. Everyone’s physical appearance is also slightly different. The beaver is somewhat stocky, stockier, shorter built, like a small stocky one. The beaver’s tail has functions for swimming, construction, and communication. with its conspecifics and is very unmistakable.
A beaver builds a dam, or lodge, for its habitat. These are commonly found along with flows, surface rivers, and other high-access trains. These habitats can be very intricate and large enough to house entire families during mating season. The otters, on the other hand, live in burrows. Burrow is like a hidden hole carved under a piece of the landscape. A fallen tree or large rock can provide good access for the otter, although it often constructs its entrance underwater to prevent land predators from entering the area. Otters tend to live on riverbanks and banks as their preferred habitat. This gives you access to good hunting grounds while facilitating them for you to access your homes.
Otters are adorable charismatic members of the Mustelidae family, like weasels, badgers, and ferrets, etc. Otters live in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Some species have also adapted to life in the oceans, such as the sea otter and the lesser sea otter.
Beavers and otters differ mainly in their diet, which also affects their behavior. A beaver is a herbivore while an otter is a carnivorous mammal. The otter is a carnivore while the beaver is a herbivore. The otter belongs to the carnivore order. The beaver belongs to the order Rodentia. The otter is related to the weasel. The beaver is related to the rat.
The otter is longer, thinner, and has a pointed tail while the beaver is shorter, stockier, and has a long, flat tail. Beavers live in dams. Otters live in holts. Beavers prefer shallower waters with two shorelines (if possible). Otters live along the edge of hunting grounds. Beavers molt in summer, but otters don’t molt. Beavers are famous for their industriousness and activity while otters are famous for their playfulness.
Currently, beavers are in the Least Concern category on the IUCN Red List, while otters are in the Vulnerable category.
ABOUT OTTERS
Otters are furry, carnivorous animals in the family Mustelidae, which includes weasels and badgers. They are semi-aquatic, aquatic or marine, famous for their playfulness, especially in water. They can be found in all parts of the world except Australia and Antarctica. There are currently 13 species of otters, from smooth-haired otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) to giant otters. (Pteronura brasiliensis).
ABOUT BEAVERS
Beavers are the large semiaquatic rodents of the northern temperate hemisphere. They have a stocky body with large heads and can measure between 80 and 120 cm in length. Long chisel-like teeth help them fall and burrow into trees. Its front legs look like hands and help it maneuver around its environment. They are semi-aquatic and therefore have webbed hind feet. Legs, flat scaly tails, and waterproof fur. Its color can be from reddish brown to almost black
There are two living beaver species, the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fibre)..
They are herbivores and feed on tree bark, aquatic plants, bumps (undergrowth), herbs and cannes.
Beavers live in freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. They are good builders and influence their environment by building structures such as dykes and shelters. They use things from their environment like branches, vegetation, rocks and mud to create these structures.
Due to their impact on the environment and other species, they are classified as keystone species. Beavers can live up to 78 years in the wild and 24 years in captivity.
Adult beavers live in monogamous pairs with their young. The adults build structures and feed the young. Structures and even help raise younger siblings like humans. Beavers are very territorial, even marking their territories with scent carriers made of mud, debris, and castoreum (a substance excreted in the urine through their castor sacs). Beavers know to swim very well.
Beavers are primarily nocturnal. They sleep almost 11 hours a day.
Beavers are hunted for their fur, meat, and castoreum, which is used in medicine, perfumes and to flavor food. They almost became extinct in the 19th century, but their population recovered and they are now listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Otters vs Beavers
| Comparision | Beavers | Otters |
| Order | Rodentia | Carnivora |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carnivores |
| Activity | Nocturnal | Diurnal |
| Regions | Northern hemisphere | Everywhere except Australia and Antarctica |
| Behaviour | Hardworking, territorial and live in a close-knitted family. | Playful |
| Moulting | Beavers moult during summer. | Otters do not moult |
| IUCN Red list status | Least concerned | Endangered |
Conclusion: Otters and beavers are lovable, furry creatures that have many similarities and many differences. Both mammals are hunted to feed human greed. Challenges such as climate change, global warming, and industrial pollution also have a major impact on the population. Beavers became extinct in the 19th century and their population is now stable, but otters are now endangered and we need to make sure they are protected.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.