There is abundant news on the Michael Runtz beaver book front. This warranted such a media turnout I have to think the book can’t be far behind this time. But I’ve been Charlie Browned by Lucy’s football before.
Acclaimed author Michael Runtz provides in-depth presentation on beavers
He explained he wanted to see the Eurasian beaver, after so many years of studying the Canadian beaver.
“I wanted to photograph them,” said Runtz. “They’re a little more reddish brown, with narrower tails. The reason, I believe, for the narrower tails is the Eurasian beaver favors river habitats, which have faster moving water than the beaver pond habitat of Canadian beavers, so the narrower tails are beneficial in the faster moving water.”
He said Eurasian beavers tend to share their habitat, whereas Canadian beavers create their own.
“I’ve discovered quite a few things about beavers over the years, including they use their teeth differently when cutting down trees versus eating,” said Runtz.
He said beaver’s diets are interesting and they always bring their food back to the water to eat.
“It’s their safe haven,” said Runtz. “They love aquatic plants. They are almost like farmers, nibbling on these plants and then leaving bits and pieces in the water from which more grow.”
He said beavers select their food based on scent.
“If there are seven different types of willow trees in an area, they may only eat three or four varieties,” said Runtz. “Poplar is one of their favorite foods.”
He explained he took part in an experiment, taking bark from trees beavers tended to favor (poplar) and ones they avoided (balsam fir), boiling down the bark to make a sap, painting the opposite trees with the sap (balsam fir with poplar sap and vice versa).
The beavers cut down the balsam fir that smelt like a poplar and dragged it back to the water,” said Runtz.
It’s a good article and with only a few things that I’m not sure I’d agree with, you should go read the whole thing and when his book comes out we’ll all be first in line!
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Yesterday was an upsetting day at the Napa beaver pond, which Rusty happened to catch on film. One of the beavers appeared to drown, which I wouldn’t have thought possible but seems to be the case. Cheryl went by in the evening and they saw three strong beavers at once, which they never did before. So there is still more of the family (and hopefully mom) to carry on. The whole thing is very mysterious and we’re going to have to wait or do without answers. In the interest of study and understanding, assuming you are the kind of person who wants to see, click on the gate. And if you are not that kind of person (And I’m talking to you, Jean), do NOT click on the gate. Really.
I leave you in Rusty’s capable hands tomorrow. Lots of life to see still at the beaver dams in Napa. I’ll be getting up before the sun to drive to Auburn for the SARSAS talk. Wish beavers luck!
