North American Beaver (Castor canadensis)
http://wildlife.utah.gov/education/newsletters/01fallwinter-nc.pdf
- Lives in a deep pond that does not freeze all the way through in winter.
- Builds a dam with logs and mud to a create its pond.
- Has sharp, chisel-like teeth for chopping down trees.
- Builds a lodge or bank den which opens from below into the pond for shelter.
- Has a big, flat tail that acts like a rudder while swimming and webbed hind feet to swim fast.
- Slaps tail on the water’s surface as a warning when a predator such as a bear or mountain lion is near.
- Has special clear eyelids to protect its eyes while swimming and flaps that cover its ears and nostrils to keep water out.
- Has lips that seal behind its teeth to let it chew wood while under water.
- Has extra large lungs to hold lots of air during long dives.
- Has fur with a dense inner layer to keep it warm and dry, and an outer layer that sheds water.
- Spreads oil from a special gland near the base of its tail on its fur to waterproof it.
- Eats leaves, twigs and inner bark of trees. Stores branches at the bottom of its pond for winter.