If you lose the beaver, it will float in a couple of days, as the gasses produced by decomposition will increase the size of the beaver, and therefore decrease the specific gravity to less than one. Of course, at that time, it would not be fit to eat. A seal that sinks in fresh water will also float in a few days.

How long does it take a dead beaver to float?

It takes a couple of days depending on temps for them to float. Re: Does a freshly shot (dead) beaver float or sink? I've searched the lake carefully for two evenings with no success.

Do beavers float in the water?

Unless just wounded they will build up with gas and float up later. If they do sink give it a couple of hours or check next morning. Unless just wounded they will build up with gas and float up later.