Beaver
obviously have to start with my BEST FRIEND, the humble beaver. this little critter is a keystone species, which means that its mere existence is a backbone of the ecological community. the presence of keystone species, like beavers, create the conditions for other species to thrive. beavers create dams (CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW SMART THEY ARE) which create streams and ponds, making an environment for fish, waterfowl, plants, and even apex predators.
i am obsessed with these guys. here are some fun facts about beavers:
- beavers are the largest species of rodent in north america!
- beavers have valves in their nostrils and ears that shut when they are underwater. they can hold their breath underwater for up to 15 minutes!!
- the largest beaver dam in the world is over half a mile long. you can see it from space!
- beavers' teeth grow their whole lives! the beavers grind them down by gnawing down their trees and eating sticks. their teeth are orange from the iron in the enamel. the back of beavers' teeth wears down more quickly than the front which makes their teeth into a chiseled shape. this shape is self-sharpening which helps them cut through wood.
Further beaver research:
8 Beaver Facts by the SmithsonianBeaver Facts by National Geographic
Platypus
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let’s keep it trucking with another one of my favorite animals, the platypus. some people (one of my clients) refer to this little guy as an “ugly motherfucker” (direct quote) but he is very beautiful to me!!
the platypus is an extremely unique animal. he is a type of mammal called a monotreme, which is a mammal because it produces milk, but it lays eggs! not only is the platypus one of the only living egg-laying mammals, he is also one of the few venomous mammals in the world. the platypus has sharp barbs on the back of his hind feet that causes paralysis in small animals and extreme pain in humans.
basically every fact about these critters is fun, but here are some extra special fun facts about them:
- even though platypi have a duck-like bill, their bill serves a completely different purpose. the platypus hunts primarily underwater and it needs to shut its eyes, nose, and ears while hunting. instead of using senses like smell, sight, or sound, the platypus relies on special electroreceptor cells in its bill that track the ELECTRICAL SIGNALS emitted by their small prey. water is a great conductor of electricity, which allows platypi to know the exact location of insect larvae, worms, and crustaceans in the water.
- scientists aren’t sure why but platypus are FLUORESCENT BLUEISH GREEN under UV light! king…tell us why you are neon…..
- a baby platypus is called a puggle.
- when the british first discovered the platypus (who is endemic to australia) in 1799, they assumed the animal was a hoax! joke is on them because aboriginal Australians have been besties with these guys for generations.
Further platypus research:
great video about platypus biology by Real ScienceMuseums Victoria on platypus
