Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

What type of diet do beavers primarily have?

1. Omnivorous, including plants and animals

2. Herbivorous, primarily consisting of plant material

3. Carnivorous, preying on aquatic animals

4. Insectivorous, focused on insects

The correct answer is: Herbivorous, primarily consisting of plant material

Beavers primarily have an herbivorous diet that consists mainly of plant material. They primarily consume the bark, leaves, and twigs of trees and shrubs, particularly favoring species such as aspen, willow, and birch. Beavers are well-adapted to their environment, using their strong teeth and jaws to fell trees and access the tender parts of plants that are not only nutritious but also critical for their energy needs. The specialization in a plant-based diet supports their role as ecosystem engineers, as their activities in feeding and building dams from the materials they collect create wetlands that benefit many other species within the habitat. This herbivorous diet is essential for their survival and reproductive success, given their substantial energy requirements. In contrast, the other dietary classifications do not accurately represent a beaver's natural feeding behaviors. They are not omnivorous and do not rely on a mixed diet of plants and animals, nor are they carnivorous, as they do not hunt aquatic animals or consume meat. Additionally, beavers do not focus on insects as a significant part of their diet, which allows them to thrive in their specific ecological niche.