Beavers Are Sunbathing in Midday, and It’s Not Due to Rabies

Quick Take

• Spotting a nocturnal animal in broad daylight usually signals something's wrong, though with beavers the real explanation is far less alarming than you'd expect. Daytime sightings explained →
• A whole beaver family sunbathing on their lodge in Quebec had observers convinced something was terribly wrong, as they were all missing the same key detail. See the Quebec sighting →
• Early spring triggers a behavior in beavers that looks lazy but is actually doing serious biological work. Spring sunbathing behavior →

Some animals are natural sun worshippers. We often see dogs or cats lying out on a warm sunny day, soaking up the rays. Even farm animals, like cows and chickens, are known to relax in the warmth. One animal we don’t think of as a sunshine connoisseur is the beaver. Beavers are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active at night as well as during dawn and dusk. Some daytime activity can also occur, especially in spring and fall. But some recent Reddit posters have observed them enjoying the early spring sunshine, leading to confusion and concern about their health. It might sound worrisome, but beavers are actually secretly sun-loving animals.

Daytime Beaver Sightings Cause Alarm

A Reddit user recently raised the alarm after seeing a beaver lounging on top of its lodge. According to the post, the sighting took place near a lake in a Quebec suburb. The entire beaver family was observed napping in the sun during the daytime. They added that this behavior continues even on cloudy days. Understandably, this would be cause for alarm since beavers are primarily nocturnal. However, there is an exception to the rule.

Dawn and dusk are usually the best times to see these crafty creatures. Many of us are conditioned to believe that spotting nocturnal or crepuscular animals during daylight hours is an indication of rabies. But rabies is rare in beavers, and if they were infected, they’d show more aggression than those described in the post. Given the time of the year — early spring — there’s a more likely, less concerning reason for the daytime sighting.

Soakin’ Up The Sun

Beavers often emerge in the early spring from lodges. Their homes might be frozen, damaged, or exposed to the elements. By the time winter finally fades, beavers are eager for springtime warmth. This causes them to crawl onto their lodges, which are well above the water level, to soak up the sun’s rays. Since their body temperature is a result of thermoregulation, they need some extra help to thaw after a chilly winter.

Sunning also helps beavers dry their wet fur, which means they warm faster and maintain their core body temperature. As the sun reaches its peak in the afternoon, beavers often follow its heat signature. The Quebec beavers did just that, which is why they appeared on top of the lodge each afternoon.

As the sun warms their bodies, beavers also have an easier time grooming. Their natural oils have a tough time sticking to wet fur. As their fur dries, they can reapply the oils that make them “waterproof.” This is especially important for any babies, like the ones described in the Reddit thread. Another possibility, especially on a cloudy day, is that the residual warmth in the air is a helpful digestive aid. After a large meal, beavers may climb on top of their lodges to rest and digest. This is not unlike humans sitting in the sun to relax after a meal!

If You See a Beaver During the Day

In short, daytime sightings are probably nothing to worry about. Spring is the perfect time for beavers to emerge from their shelter and soak up some rays. Sometimes, this can even happen in the fall just before winter starts. A couple of years ago, a beaver in Yellowstone caught significant attention for its sunbathing habits. This one didn’t sit on its lodge, but instead found a smooth, warm rock to lounge on as the sun came up. The early morning hours often provide undiluted sunlight and replenish energy lost to the previous night’s chill.

As the days grow longer, a beaver’s internal clock is also reset. Warmer temperatures bring separation between night and day, which triggers the beavers to leave their lodges. This is why more of them are seen during the spring and summer than at any other time of the year. The majority of their work takes place at night when you’re more likely to hear them rather than see them. But if you happen to spot a sunbathing beaver during the warm months, it’s likely just getting some vitamin D before the weather gets cold again.