Effect of watercourse characteristics on food-caching behaviour by European beaver, Castor fiber

We studied the relations between watercourse depth and width, and the occurrence, time of initiation and finite size of beaver food caches. Water depth was significantly greater by lodges with a food cache than at lodges lacking a food cache. There was no significant difference in watercourse width between the two groups. Date of initiation of the food cache was not related to water depth, but beavers living by wider watercourses started constructing food caches before those living on narrow watercourses. Finite size of food caches was significantly related to watercourse width and time of initiation. Results are discussed in the contexts of behavioural plasticity in overwintering strategies and habitat selection.