Don't Fear The Beaver

What loves wood, is more comfortable when it's wet and is mainly active at night? Need another hint? They used to be prized for their fur, but nowadays people aren't so much into their pelts. Also, their musky secretions can sometimes add an unpleasant taste. Give up? It's the American...

By Jesse Hughey

July 29, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

What loves wood, is more comfortable when it's wet and is mainly active at night? Need another hint? They used to be prized for their fur, but nowadays people aren't so much into their pelts. Also, their musky secretions can sometimes add an unpleasant taste. Give up? It's the American beaver! We're not talking about some forgotten straight-to-DVD sequel of American Pie, but rather North America's largest native rodent. You can find out more about beaver and see three different beaver habitats on a nature hike 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday along the Riverbottom Trail of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, 9601 Fossil Ridge Road. Trust us--we've spent years of our lives finding out all we can about beaver in books, magazines and on websites, but there's nothing like firsthand experience. The Refuge is on Jacksboro Highway (S.H. 199) four miles west of Interstate 820. Cost of the hike and program is $5 in addition to paid admission, and free for Nature Center members. Call 817-392-7412 or visit fwnaturecenter.org for more information.
Sat., July 31, 1-3 p.m., 2010

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.