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Estimated beaver populations was around 200 million before "beaver hats" became a craze of Europeans that led to populations being hunted down to less than 10 m
by culi 2y ago
Estimated beaver populations was around 200 million before "beaver hats" became a craze of Europeans that led to populations being hunted down to less than 10 million. We have no idea how radically different the landscape actually was when beavers roamed. Now that we're finally allowing numbers to rebound we're realizing how much of our infrastructure is built around the assumption of a beaver-less landscape
- brailsafe 2y ago> realizing how much of our infrastructure is built around the assumption of a beaver-less landscape That goes for both kinds of beavers. Europe is often a bit better, but access to public toilets in Canada where they went to feed their hat frenzy, is appalling; those without beavs can deal with it a little easier, but more toilets would still be helpful.
- throweep 2y agoYou can always count on Europeans to do what they are best at
- acomjean 2y agoMy brothers house is near a stream. Beavers showed up about 10 years ago. The change wasn’t bad and pretty minor, but it did change things. He did protect some of his trees. They’re pretty voracious. The town made him move the “hobit hole” shed he got his daughters but the Beavers get free rein. (As did the golf club in the back, but that’s another story)
- soco 2y agoThey only time I've seen a beaver hat was in old times comics with Davy Crockett (fun times)... when was that European fashion craze?
- amanaplanacanal 2y agoAccording to the Wikipedia article, 1550-1850.
- FiatLuxDave 2y agoYou are thinking of a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonskin_cap https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonskin_cap , which is made from a racoon. The hat which was made from beaver is more familiar to most people as the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_hat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_hat , which was made from beaver before the more modern silk versions became popular.