Beavers, large rodents, had gone extinct in the Netherlands. They have been successfully reintroduced. Some places where you might see them include the Biesbosch (North Brabant and South Holland), the Millingerwaard (Gelderland), and the Leudal (Limburg). Their numbers are steadily increasing. However, beavers have been present in the Netherlands for a very long time. Throughout the Pleistocene (2.58 million – 11,700 years ago), beavers existed, including the so-called giant beaver. This giant beaver, scientifically named Trogontherium cuvieri, often lived alongside the true beaver, Castor fiber. The Trogontherium differs significantly from the true beaver. It is actually a beaver-like creature, meaning it closely resembled a true beaver. Fossils of this giant beaver are notably found frequently on the beach of the Maasvlakte. But was the giant beaver truly so large? No, not much larger than the true beaver. Its body was slightly longer and slimmer. Additionally, Trogontherium stood higher on its legs, had a significantly larger head, and its incisors were distinct with a rough enamel surface.
These large teeth were not suitable for felling trees but likely for peeling tree bark. A major difference is the absence of strongly developed transverse processes on the tail vertebrae of Trogontherium, suggesting that, unlike the European beaver, the giant beaver had a rounded tail. This is clearly depicted in the lifelike Historyland models: Trogontherium in a swimming position and Castor sitting on land. True giant beavers lived in the Pleistocene in North America: Castoroides ohioensis. These were true giants. The model on display here was created based on fossils. Complete skeletons of Castoroides have been found, allowing us to know how large they were. Compared to the Dutch giant beaver Trogontherium, it was a true colossus. At the end of the Pleistocene, the giant beavers in North America went completely extinct, likely due to global warming.