A Visit With My Local Keystone Species

On most summer evenings, beavers can be found foraging in the Wildlife Pond at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Last night was no exception.

According to the National Park Service:

The North American beaver is a keystone species, a unique organism that supports the entire biological community. The term “keystone” refers to a wedge-shaped block that forms the apex of a stone arch, the brick that holds the entire span in place. If you remove the keystone the arch collapses. The same can be true of a keystone species—their removal can contribute to an ecosystem collapse.

The dams that beavers build create wetlands that provide safe homes, feeding grounds and nesting areas for fish, birds, frogs, and mammals. They help to trap dirt and harmful chemicals and clean the water before it flows downstream. And of high importance in these times of global warming, the dams help to hold back water during heavy storms and slowly release stored water during dry summer months.

Beavers live in lodges like this one at Wachusett Meadow that sports a “late summer greenery” look. I’ve photographed this lodge in all seasons. Click here for some different lodge views. Click here to learn more about the design of the lodge.

Last night this single beaver busily munched lily pads, and barely noticed me a few feet away on the dock. I watched as it used its ten fingers to prepare and eat dinner.

This video from a previous post shows the hands at work.


In this video short, a juvenile otter’s cry can be heard as the the beaver forages. Although the beaver paused each time it heard the otter, it remained unconcerned. Shortly after the beaver dives, the abrupt splashing of otters diving nearby can be heard.

The otter family that swam quickly by can thank the beaver for this environment . Otters and beavers are not “friends”; rather they are more like neighbors who tolerate each other. Occasionally, an otter might pose a threat to a young beaver, as otters are carnivores.

The lower left edge of this photo shows the observation dock where I was standing. I managed to take one photo of the otters before they dived away. There is plenty of space for both otters and beavers to live here. Over the years, I’ve photographed many other creatures who depend on the beavers for their habitat. You can view a selection of them below.

Phoebe
Green Frog
Painted Turtle
Painted Turtles
Canada Geese With Goslings
Kingfisher
Canada Goose and Mergansers
White-tailed Deer
Great Blue Heron
Red-wing Blackbird
Otter
Mallards

You can find more information about beavers in Massachusetts here. I also recommend Ben Goldfarb’s Eager:The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. He sums up his book in this way:

“Beaver Pledge: One river, underground, irreplaceable, with habitat and wetlands for all.”

19 thoughts on “A Visit With My Local Keystone Species”

  6. What a beautiful post! How ignorant we were to trap these creatures until we decimated the environment. Absolutely love that Beaver Pledge. Also, liked your observation about how beavers and otters were not friends but rather neighbors who tolerated each other.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Laurie. I love the Beaver Pledge, as well. As I was writing, I was remembering my 34 years of classroom teaching beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if right after that, we all recited the Beaver Pledge? 😉
      Happy New Week,
      Julie

      Reply

  8. This is such an amazing space, Julie, with so much habitat for a variety of animals.
    Just this morning we commented on the fact that we have never seen river otters in the wild, while watching the “Moment of Nature” on CBS’s Sunday Morning.
    Good for you for having this so close to home.
    I wish you a good week,
    Tanja

    Reply

    1. Oh, I’m very lucky to have this within a few miles of home. 😉 And the otters are certainly very playful when they are young. In the early spring, full grown otters will hang out on ice drifts in the pond, and it’s easier to photograph them.
      Wishing you a good week, as well!
      Julie

      Reply

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