The Beaver’s Adaptations

Did you know there is a mammal perfectly suited for semi-aquatic living? (Content adapted from Inspired Evidence by Julie Vett & Bruce Malone.)

The beaver has specially designed features that allow it to thrive in and out of water. These unique traits include built-in goggles for seeing, ear and nose valves that seal, and self-sharpening front teeth for cutting trees. It also has the ability to retrieve and store food underwater, a large paddle-shaped tail to be used as a rudder to navigate through the water, and webbed duck feet for great swimming power.

Its two layers of fur are waterproofed by oil from two oil glands. Couple this with its large lungs and liver, and you have a super swimmer because the beaver can store more air, thus producing extra oxygenated blood while submerged.

All of the beaver’s features must be intact and fully functional from the beginning for it to exist in its surroundings. What a marvelously designed animal!