Nature Cam Records a Beaver Leaving to Forage Only To Walk Into a Waiting Wolf

This incredibly rare footage was captured by a trail camera in northern Minnesota. It shows a beaver leaving the water in the middle of the night to go foraging. Just four minutes later it is attacked by a breeding male wolf from one of the local packs. There is a violent struggle and the beaver puts up a brave defense. However, it eventually loses and we discover that the beaver has been eaten by the wolf. In fact, the researchers who set up this camera found the bloody remains of the kill quite close to the location of this clip. Whilst it is always sad to see a magnificent animal like the beaver being killed, you also have to admire the hunting skills of the wolf.

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Where Do American Beavers Normally Live?

American beavers are found throughout North America except for the very northern regions of Canada and the deserts of the southern United States. In terms of habitat, beavers have to live in and near water. They build lodges on islands, on the banks of ponds, or on the shores of lakes. Within the lodge, there is an oven-shaped house made of sticks, moss, and grass. They secure all of this together with mud. The internal dimensions of the lodges can reach up to 8 feet in width and 3 feet in height. They even blanket the floor with grass and wood chips. The whole point of their dam is to increase the depth of the water and therefore protect the entrance to the lodge.

Beavers always have to be very careful of wolves. Young beavers in particular are hunted by not only wolves but also by wolverines and even by otters. Adult beavers are not so vulnerable but as you see in this clip they can also be attacked by wolves and also by bears. Most other predators are put off by their large size.

Are Beavers Important to Ecosystems?

Beavers play an essential role in maintaining wetlands. The lakes that they create behind their dams slow down the flow of flood waters and can protect land and human property further downstream. They also help to prevent erosion because they raise the water table. When they build dams, these act as purifying systems for the water because they hold back silt which can contain toxins. Overall, beavers are incredibly beneficial to the environment and their numbers are threatened more by humans than by wolves!