Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Heart rates in the captive, free-ranging beaver.

U G Swain1, F F Gilbert, J D Robinette

  • 1Wildlife Biology Program, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6410.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. A, Comparative Physiology
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Beaver (Castor canadensis) heart rates vary significantly with activity and environment. Resting in water (121 bpm) is higher than on land (100 bpm), while diving and sleeping induce bradycardia.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cutaneous wound healing in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Veterinary surgery : VS·1989
Same author

Biomechanical properties of skin and wounds in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Veterinary surgery : VS·1989
Same author

Inheritance of diabetes mellitus in Keeshond dogs.

American journal of veterinary research·1988
Same author

Tissue reaction to suture material in the feline linea alba. A retrospective, prospective, and histologic study.

Veterinary surgery : VS·1987
Same author

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in dogs and cats.

Seminars in veterinary medicine and surgery (small animal)·1987
Same author

Cecal perforation and adrenocortical adenoma in a dog.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1987

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Understanding the physiological responses of semi-aquatic mammals like the beaver (Castor canadensis) to different environmental conditions and behaviors is crucial for ecological studies.
  • Previous research has explored heart rate variability in various species, but specific data on beavers across a range of activities and temperatures remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the heart rate patterns of beavers (Castor canadensis) under various conditions, including activity levels, diving, resting (in water and on land), and thermal challenges.
  • To determine if environmental factors and behavioral states significantly influence cardiovascular function in beavers.

Main Methods:

  • Heart rates of beavers (Castor canadensis) were monitored under free-ranging captive conditions.
  • Data was collected during active behaviors, resting in water and on land, diving, sleeping, and when threatened.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Physiological responses were recorded across different temperatures (approximately 0°C and 20°C).

    • Main Results:

    • Beaver heart rates were significantly higher during active behaviors and resting in water (approx. 121 bpm) compared to resting on land (100 bpm).
    • Bradycardia was observed during sleep (75 bpm), diving (61 bpm), and when threatened (57 bpm).
    • Cold temperatures (approx. 0°C) resulted in higher heart rates during active, non-diving behaviors compared to warmer temperatures (approx. 20°C).

    Conclusions:

    • Beaver heart rate is highly adaptable, reflecting distinct physiological states associated with different behaviors and environmental conditions.
    • The study highlights the significant impact of aquatic environments and thermal stress on beaver cardiovascular function.
    • Findings provide valuable baseline data for understanding beaver physiology and their ecological adaptations.