Here's why beavers need water:
* Food: Beavers primarily eat trees and other woody vegetation. They rely on water sources to access trees growing along banks and to transport logs back to their lodges.
* Safety: Water offers beavers protection from predators like wolves, bears, and coyotes. They can quickly dive into the water and escape danger.
* Habitat: Beavers build dams, lodges, and canals in and around water sources. These structures provide them with shelter, storage for food, and a stable environment.
* Temperature regulation: Beavers are susceptible to overheating, and water helps them stay cool.
Therefore, beavers prefer to live near rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with abundant vegetation and a suitable water depth for their activities.