SciShow Explains How and Why Beavers Build Dams

Hank Green from SciShow explains how and why beavers build dams and what happens when a beaver’s dam springs a leak in their latest episode, “Dam Fun Facts About Beavers”

Beavers go through all the trouble of dam-building primarily for defense…By surrounding themselves with deep water, beavers can protect their dens from predators like wolves and wild cats, while creating a habitat that supports the aquatic plants they like most, like cattails, willows, pondweed and aspen…Research has shown that little gaps intentionally created in a beaver dam will cause the members of a colony to drop everything to repair it, regardless of whatever else needs to be done. Scientists — a little evil — have even played audio recordings of running water near beaver sites, and have returned in the morning to find the speakers covered with sticks and mud.