Architectural structures play an important role in the life of the city. They can decorate it, or they can disfigure it. They can bring coziness and comfort to the life of citizens, or they can spoil it in earnest. It all depends on the skill, taste and education of the architect. And sometimes, in pursuit of beauty, they lose sight of the reliability and safety of the building. What can not be said about our smaller brothers - beavers. That's really who could teach a master class to any builder. And if the buildings of these animals do not differ in sophistication, then they have practically no equal in complexity, uniqueness and reliability. Beavers are among the top ten architects of the animal world.
Beaver dwelling
Beavers belong to the class Rodents. And they are the largest of its representatives in Europe and Asia. The dimensions of the animal are very impressive (as for a rodent) - they reach a meter in length, and their weight is about 35 kg. These animals in Russia have always been revered for the constructiontalent, for perseverance, diligence and strength. During the night, a beaver can gnaw, knock down and clean a tree with a diameter of about half a meter from branches. Logs are used to build dams and to build housing.
So what is a beaver's home? Let's figure it out. Beavers have, so to speak, three types of housing: a hole, a semi-hut and a hut. Beavers dig holes and live in them all summer. The burrow is a chamber about one meter wide. The floor is covered with dry grass and shavings. It is always twenty centimeters above the water level, if the water rises, then the owner of the hole raises the floor, laying another layer of bedding on it. There are always several passages leading into the hole, starting under water. So the animal can protect itself from uninvited guests. The second home of the beaver is a semi-hut. The beaver builds it in the event that the hole has collapsed, and there is nowhere to build a new one, or you simply don’t want to leave your familiar place. A semi-hut is an intermediate option between a hut and a hole. The entrance to this dwelling is made under the shore, and where there was a living chamber, a dome of branches and grass is completed and strengthened with silt.
Architects at the call of nature
But the main dwelling of a beaver is called a hut. The rodent is preparing thoroughly for its construction. In the hut, the beaver hibernates, breeds. This beaver's house is a grandiose domed structure made of branches and brushwood held together by silt and earth. The walls of the dwelling are so strong that even a bear cannot break them. A hut is being built in the deepest part of the reservoir. And it is no coincidence. in wintera pond can freeze in shallow places to the bottom.
And since the entrance to the beaver's dwelling begins under water, in case of severe frosts, the animals will not be able to get out. Also in the hut there is a breathing hole. And on frosty days there is steam above the house, this indicates that the owners are at home. The temperature in the hut is above zero even in severe frosts and the animals feel very comfortable. Another architectural marvel that these amazing animals are famous for is dams. Beavers build them in order to maintain a certain level of water near their home. The entire beaver family is involved in the construction of the dam. Tree trunks and branches are used as building material, but if wood is in short supply, then beavers pull off everything they find: stones, car tires, bottles, and so on. These beavers are amazing furry builders. And they really need our protection.
