Beaver vs. Marmot — What's the Difference?

Beavers play a crucial role in creating wetlands.

A ground-dwelling rodent found in mountainous areas.

A large semi-aquatic rodent known for building dams and lodges.

They live in burrows they dig themselves.

They are primarily nocturnal animals.

Found primarily in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Found across North America and Europe.

Marmots are known for their long hibernation periods.

Beavers have a distinctive flat, paddle-shaped tail.

Marmots have a diet consisting mainly of grasses and grains.

Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents in the genus Castor native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are two extant species: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (C. fiber).

Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels in the genus Marmota, with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America. These herbivores are active during the summer when often found in groups, but are not seen during the winter when they hibernate underground.

Either of two large semiaquatic rodents, Castor canadensis of North America or C. fiber of Eurasia, having thick brown fur, webbed hind feet, a broad flat tail, and sharp incisors used for gnawing bark and felling trees, with which they construct dams and underwater lodges.

Any of various stocky, coarse-furred, burrowing rodents of the genus Marmota, having short legs and ears and short bushy tails and found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

The fur of a beaver.

Any of several large ground-dwelling rodents of the genera Marmota and Cynomys in the squirrel family.

A top hat originally made of the underfur of a beaver.

Any rodent of the genus Marmota (formerly Arctomys) of the subfamily Sciurinae. The common European marmot (Marmota marmotta) is about the size of a rabbit, and inhabits the higher regions of the Alps and Pyrenees. The bobac is another European species. The common American species (Marmota monax) is the woodchuck (also called groundhog), but the name marmot is usually used only for the western variety.

A napped wool fabric, similar to felt, used for outer garments.

Any one of several species of ground squirrels or gophers of the genus Spermophilus; also, the prairie dog.

Vulgar Slang The female genitals.

Stocky coarse-furred burrowing rodent with a short bushy tail found throughout the northern hemisphere; hibernates in winter

Offensive Slang A woman or girl.

A piece of armor attached to a helmet or breastplate to protect the throat or lower face.

The visor on a helmet.

Of or relating to a beaver or beavers

Constructed by beavers

To work diligently and energetically.

To spot a beard in a game of beaver.

To work hard.

To cut a continuous ring around a tree that one is felling.

(backgammon) After being doubled, to immediately double the stakes again, a move that keeps the doubling cube on one’s own side of the board.

(countable) A semiaquatic rodent of the genus Castor, having a wide, flat tail and webbed feet.

The fur of the beaver.

(countable) A hat, of various shapes, made from a felted beaver fur (or later of silk), fashionable in Europe between 1550 and 1850.

(North American) Beaver pelts as an article of exchange or as a standard of value.

Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woollen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats.

A brown colour, like that of a beaver.

A move in response to being doubled, in which one immediately doubles the stakes again, keeping the doubling cube on one’s own side of the board.

Senseid|en|member of the youngest wing of the Scout movement}} {{alternative case form of Beaver.

Senseid|en|part of a helmet}} {{alternative spelling of bevor.

An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor.

The fur of the beaver.

A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk.

Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats.

A man's beard.

The hair on a woman's pubic area; - vulgar.

A woman; - vulgar and offensive.

A person who works enthusiastically and diligently; - used especially in the phrase eager beaver.

That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise) that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink.

The soft brown fur of the beaver

A full beard

A man's hat with a tall crown; usually covered with beaver or silk

A movable piece of armor on a medieval helmet used to protect the lower face

A hat made of beaver fur or similar material

Large semiaquatic rodent with webbed hind feet and a broad flat tail; construct complex dams and underwater lodges

Work hard on something

Beavers have webbed feet and a flat tail suited for swimming, while marmots have strong legs for digging.

Beavers create wetlands that support biodiversity, while marmots contribute to soil aeration and serve as prey for predators.

Beavers live in colonies and cooperate in building activities, whereas marmots are more solitary except during breeding and hibernation.

Beavers eat bark, twigs, and leaves, mainly from trees, while marmots eat a variety of grasses and grains.

Beavers typically have one litter per year with an average of three to four young, while marmots also have one litter annually but the number of young can vary widely depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Beavers can alter their habitats in ways that benefit many other species by creating ponds and wetlands, whereas marmots mainly interact as prey and their burrowing can help aerate soil but doesn't significantly alter the landscape for others.

Beavers live in wetlands and are adapted to aquatic life, building dams, while marmots are terrestrial, living in mountainous or grassy areas.

Beavers are primarily threatened by wolves, coyotes, and occasionally bears, whereas marmots face threats from birds of prey, foxes, and occasionally bears as well.

Beavers are less affected by seasonal changes due to their aquatic environments and dam-building which provide stable conditions, while marmots are significantly affected by climate, as they hibernate through winter and rely on summer warmth for feeding and breeding.

Beavers can live up to 24 years in the wild, although 10 to 15 years is more common, while marmots typically live around 6 to 15 years depending on the species and environmental factors.