Beavers are the second largest rodent in the world, in the same family as capybara and rats!

There are two species of beaver, with the scientific names ‘Castor fiber’ (European beaver, which is in Britain) and ‘Castor canadensis’ (in North America)

1. Beaver teeth never stop growing, so they have to gnaw regularly to keep them trimmed

If necessary, beavers can hold their breath underwater for up to 15 minutes, allowing them to stay submerged and hidden

1. Beaver young are called kits and will stay with their parents until they are 2 or 3 years old. They’re usually born in late spring or early summer, around May time, and can swim just 24 hours after birth

1. In the middle ages beavers were mistaken for fish, due to their scaly tails, and were eaten on days when meat was banned for religious reasons

A giant beaver called Castoroides existed in the Stone Age and is thought to have been up to 8 feet (2.5 m) long!

Beavers produce an oil called castoreum which used to be used in perfume, food flavouring and medicines

1. Beavers are crepuscular, which means they come out at dawn and dusk, or ‘twilight’ hours

1. Beavers are herbivores – they don’t eat fish! Just trees, shrubs and other plants