North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
© Enrique Aguirre Aves/Getty Image
North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
Beavers are remarkable creatures known for their dam-building skills, which create wetlands, benefiting numerous species. As North America's largest rodents, they can grow up to 1 metre long, not including their distinctive flat tails. Their continuously growing teeth, with thick enamel giving them an orange hue, are essential tools for gnawing on trees—a behaviour that maintains both their dental health and their environment.
No wonder their strong choppers make them one of nature's best engineers. North American beavers are not just famous for their engineering skills but also for being true water dwellers. As semi-aquatic rodents, they spend most of their time swimming through streams and ponds with the help of their webbed hind feet. These skilled swimmer can hold their breath underwater for up to 15 minutes. Their thick fur, coated in an oily substance that makes it waterproof, keeps them warm even in the coldest waters. However, don't expect to spot one easily during the day, as they are mostly active at night.
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