Examining Beaver Behaviour
Beavers obtain food and building materials by toppling trees with nothing more than their adapted incisor teeth and powerful lower jaw muscles. In fact, beaver teeth never stop growing, so they won’t become too worn despite years of chewing through hardwoods. Their four front teeth are self-sharpening due to the hard orange enamel on the front of the tooth. One of the most distinctive features of the beaver is their large, flat tail that operates like a rudder in the water and a prop when sitting upright. It also works as a storehouse of fat for the winter. Beavers also use their tails to slap against the water as a warning of danger. Beavers are aquatic mammals with large webbed hind feet that are ideal for swimming, and dextrous front paws that allow them to manipulate and carry objects. They have a surprisingly good sense of hearing and scent and rely on these senses more than their less-developed eyesight. Their fur consists of short, fine hairs for warmth and longer hairs for ...
