Beaverling is a rare term that refers to a young beaver. Its spelling reflects the pronunciation of the word with the use of the "ling" suffix, which denotes a small or young version of an animal. The first syllable "bea" is pronounced as /ˈbiː/, with a long E sound. The second syllable "ver" is pronounced as /ˈvɜːr/. The final syllable "ling" is pronounced as /lɪŋ/, with a hard G sound at the end. Together, the IPA transcription of beaverling is /ˈbiːvərlɪŋ/.
The term "beaverling" refers to a young or juvenile beaver, typically between the ages of one to three years. This noun is derived from the combination of "beaver," which denotes a large semiaquatic rodent of the Castoridae family, and the suffix "-ling," commonly used to indicate a young or smaller version of a particular animal.
A beaverling usually exhibits similar characteristics to adult beavers but is smaller in size. They typically possess a furry body with a flattened tail, webbed hind feet, and gnawing incisors. These young beavers reside in colonies, known as lodges, alongside their adult counterparts. Despite their smaller stature, beaverlings actively participate in activities such as building dams and lodges, foraging for food, and swimming in bodies of water.
During the beaverling stage, these young beavers acquire the necessary skills and knowledge from their parents and siblings. They undergo a learning process to develop survival strategies and techniques essential for their adult life. This developmental stage is crucial for beavers as they adapt to their environment, hone their swimming and diving abilities, and learn the art of constructing dams and lodges.
It is worth noting that "beaverling" is a less commonly used term in everyday language, and it is mostly employed in specific contexts related to beavers, zoology, or wildlife research.