Watch a Beaver Cut Down a Tree One Bite at a Time

A close up portrait view of an North American beaver, Quebec, Canada
Vlad G/Shutterstock.com

Written by Chris Madden

Published: September 22, 2023

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Hard Working Beaver Chews Through a Tree Trunk While Burning That Midnight Oil!

In the impressive video below, a determined beaver commands attention as it embarks on a remarkable tree-chopping mission. Already, it has conquered more than half of the tree’s massive trunk, displaying unwavering, machine-like dedication.

Transitioning to the next clip, the same trail camera captures the beaver’s relentless progress on this arboreal endeavor. Night falls, but the beaver continues, undeterred. The trail camera, equipped with night vision, bears witness to the beaver’s unwavering commitment, burning the midnight oil in the pursuit of its mission. Its work ethic could inspire even the most demanding bosses.

Suddenly, during this nocturnal session, the beaver senses something extraordinary. Without another bite, the towering tree succumbs to gravity, crashing through the branches to the forest floor.

a beaver is cutting a tree to build a dam

This display shows a beaver cutting down a tree, chewing through the trunk to form a stress point, at which the tree cracks and falls down!

The video below shifts once again, returning to daylight, where the same beaver applies its formidable teeth to a new tree. Once more, the scene then transitions to the nighttime view. The beaver persists, a testament to its tenacity, until finally, it steps away, satisfied with a job well done. As it retreats, the tree begins to sway, mirroring the path the beaver takes as it hustles away.

The video below showcases the indomitable spirit of beavers, demonstrating their ability to dismantle colossal trees with nothing but their robust teeth. These natural lumberjacks are truly a force to be revered and admired.

Beavers Can Literally Change Landscapes With Their Impressive Lumberjack Skillset!

Beavers are remarkable ecosystem engineers that wield a profound impact on landscapes. They transform parts of a forest with their industrious efforts, felling trees to construct their dams and lodges. These industrious creatures don’t just stop at altering the terrestrial environment; they also shape aquatic realms. By damming up rivers, they craft sprawling wetlands and expansive beaver ponds, some of which are so vast that they can be discerned from space. Within these aquatic sanctuaries, beavers fashion their homes, nestled comfortably within the dams they’ve erected.

Beaver Dam

A huge beaver dam holds back a huge body of water, showing the architectural genius of these woodworking creatures!

However, it’s not just beavers that find refuge in these watery havens. These sprawling reservoirs of water serve as a byproduct that creates a thriving habitat for a multitude of other species. Marshes and ponds formed by beaver damming efforts become bustling ecosystems, welcoming a diverse range of flora and fauna. Bird species such as ducks, herons, and kingfishers flock to these wetlands, while amphibians like frogs and salamanders call them home. Fish find shelter and nourishment in the slow-moving waters, and muskrats establish their own burrows along the shorelines. These intricate ecosystems not only exemplify the beavers’ ingenuity but also underline their critical role in fostering biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of nature.

Beaver’s Teeth Are Specially Evolved to Be Nature’s Chainsaw!

Beavers boast teeth uniquely evolved for their arboreal prowess. Unlike most mammals, beavers possess ever-growing incisors, a critical adaptation that sets them apart. These incisors are fortified with hard enamel, continuously lengthening to compensate for the relentless wear and tear incurred during their primary task—chewing down trees. Remarkably, a beaver’s incisors can grow as much as five inches a year. Their sharp, chisel-like edges enable precise cutting through tough wood, allowing them to engineer their environment with unmatched precision.

Furthermore, beavers’ jaw muscles are exceptionally robust, further enhancing their tree-chopping abilities. This exceptional combination of strong muscles and self-renewing teeth grants beavers the power to tackle even the mightiest trees, a feat unmatched in the mammalian world. Their dental adaptations not only facilitate their unique lifestyle but also emphasize their crucial role in reshaping ecosystems, underscoring the beaver’s status as one of nature’s most impressive engineers.

Witness the Hard Worker Responsible for Cutting Down Trees With Nothing But Its Teeth!


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About the Author

Chris is a lifelong animal lover with a passion for writing and a natural tendency to explore the internet in pursuit of new wildlife and nature facts! He is completing his Bachelors in Political Science at Concordia University in the Spring of 2024 after a science-centric high school career. Aside from studying and writing for A-Z Animals, he has a budding music career and enjoy spending time outside year-round, from swimming to skiing!

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