ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Other

World’s biggest beaver dam can be seen from space

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
May 5, 2010 - Updated on October 21, 2010
in Other
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Saudi Arabia accused of derailing Paris talks
Venezuela to become the first country to lose its glaciers to global warming
Extreme heat in July would have been virtually impossible without climate change
97% consensus on climate change? More like 99.94%, study finds

The biggest beaver dam is (get ready folks), twice as long as the Hoover dam, measuring 2,790 ft (over 800 meters; in fact, it’s so big that you can even see it from space.

beaver_1629011c

Though it may seem pointless for the tiny critters to build, they actually build the dams for a good purpose: the goal is to design a sort of moat where they can make better use of their swimming skills to evade predators. In order to achieve this, they use not only trees and mud, but also stones.

Whole beaver families live in the proximity of the dam, and spend most of their active day repairing and adding to the structure; the biggest such dam is located in the Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta, Canada.

While it’s not uncommon to find ones of over 1000 feet (or even 1500), the size of this one took all the biologists by surprise. Beaver dams are important not only for ecological purposes, but they also give a good indication about the climate and habitat change.

Sharon Brown, a biologist from Beavers: Wetland and Wildlife, an educational organisation in North America:

“Beavers build dams to create a good habitat. They are very agile in the water but they’re a bit slow moving on land. They create a habitat with lots of water like a moat around their lodges so they can swim and drive and keep one step ahead of predators such as coyotes and bears. They also use water to move the trees they use in their dams because it is easier floating wood on water than dragging them over land. These habitats are not just good for them but for other animals and the environment. Their dams are also good because they slow the flow of water leading to less drought and less flooding. And when plant matters dies in water it turns to peat and that is one of the best ways for storing CO2.”

Tags: beaverbeaver damBiologyclimate changehabitat

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Climate

Scientists Create “Bait” to Lure Baby Corals Back to Dying Reefs

byMihai Andrei
1 day ago
Science

This Tree Survives Lightning Strikes—and Uses Them to Kill Its Rivals

byTudor Tarita
4 weeks ago
Animals

Same-Sex Behavior Is Surprisingly Common in Animals — Humans Are No Exception

byMihai Andrei
1 month ago
Environment

Trump-Appointed EPA Plans to Let Most Polluters Stop Reporting CO2 Emissions

byTibi Puiu
1 month ago

Recent news

Scientists Blasted Human Cells With 5G Radiation and the Results Are In

May 15, 2025

Orange Cats Are Genetically Unlike Any Other Mammal and Now We Know Why

May 15, 2025

Scientists Found ‘Anti Spicy’ Compounds That Make Hot Peppers Taste Milder

May 15, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.