Video shows a beaver swimming in Lady Bird Lake. Do they live in Austin?
Posted: Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:51 PM - 55 Readers
By: Faith Bugenhagen
A video recently posted to Reddit has sparked curiosity among Austin residents, showing what appears to be a beaver swimming in Lady Bird Lake (also known as Town Lake). Many locals were surprised, with some commenting that they hadn't realized beavers lived in Texas until seeing evidence like disappearing trees and dams in nearby areas such as Buda.
Wildlife expert Christina Burkovich from Austin Parks and Recreation confirmed the animal in the video is indeed a beaver, noting that they are native to the area and their presence around Lady Bird Lake is not unusual. She advised distinguishing them from similar-looking nutria (which are more active during the day and have long, rat-like tails) by their flat, paddle-like tails and crepuscular habits. This sighting follows another recent incident involving a baby beaver rescued in Austin two months earlier.
