Fossil Beavers

recedite

Does anyone know if the European Beaver ever lived in Ireland?
According to this (on page 6) beaver fossils have been found along with those of the ancient Irish Elk. Its not clear though whether the reference is to an extinct species of trogontherium or the european beaver Castor fiber
Beavers were living in Wales up until the 12th Century.

Alvin T. Grey

Haven't a clue. But I wouldn't be surprised.

Adam Khor

Beavers have changed little in 7 million years, suggest fossils found in Oregon (known as the "beaver state"):

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/215966/20110919/oldest-american-beaver-fossilized-teeth-castor-7-3-million-years-old-nps.htm

Regarding recedites' question, yes, the European beaver (Castor fiber) DID live in Ireland but apparently only until the Holocene.

recedite

So is there a complete list somewhere of all the plants and animals that have been found as Irish fossils?

recedite

What do you think of this, laughing boy?

Allosaur

That post says that the beaver dosn't exist in the fossil record. Which means exactly that. We have no remains. Doesn't mean that it didn't exist here, just that when they did die, they didn't leave much trace. And if they did, then it wasn't found by a competant authority and duly recorded.

Fossilization is an amazingly rare occurance. And then once you hit that lotto jackpot, you have to hit it again to find the darn thing.

So like I said, wouldn't surprize me.

But still....fossil Beaver....

Never thought I'd say those two words.

Adam Khor

I am pretty sure I saw "Castor fiber" in a list of Irish fossil finds. Should probably shut up though, because I never keep papers and so I tend to forget where I read this or that.