Beavers Are Back
May 14, 2010 21:54 - 4 Comments
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Even though the National Zoo’s Beaver Valley is closed for construction of a new seals and sea lion exhibit, you can still see beavers right here in Rockville.
When I was out running a couple of weeks ago, a woman stopped me with great excitement to tell me beavers were visible nesting at Stoneridge Pond. I already knew. I first wrote about the beavers in the winter of 2008 but they disappeared suddenly several months later in the summer. Their nest was cleaned out almost immediately by the pond management company.
During the last two years, I have never stopped checking for beavers. Every time I’m out on a run, I stop and climb down to look. After all this time I never expected to see beavers again, so I was quite surprised to find them nestled together.
Beavers, our largest “rodent”, can be found throughout North America. They eat tree bark, pond vegetation, buds and roots. According to the National Zoo website, they mate in winter then gestation takes 105 days leading to a litter of up to eight young (but most likely two to four). I keep wondering if our happy couple will be parents soon.
Here’s a quick 40 second video. I was shunned!
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That is so cute. I wish we could see more of them in the wild.
I truly hope they are left alone — not harassed now that so many know they are there… So cute…
Your video is wonderful! Beavers are such interesting animals but they do take down trees at a great rate which usually results in them being relocated when they are in urban areas, especially if it’s an expensive tree you just planted.
This is great… love the video. My question is where is stoneridge pond? I’ve lived here in Rockville a long time. Have no idea where this is. Thanks for your help.