1. Strong Teeth and Powerful Jaws: Their most obvious defense is their powerful teeth. They can use these to defend themselves against predators like wolves, bears, and coyotes by biting and even inflicting serious damage.
2. Water as a Safe Haven: Beavers are excellent swimmers and divers. They can escape to water quickly if threatened, making it difficult for predators to catch them. They can even stay submerged for a surprising amount of time.
3. Defensive Lodges: Beavers construct their lodges with multiple entrances and underwater exits, making them difficult for predators to access. They also often build their lodges close to water, allowing them to quickly escape if needed.
4. Scent Marking: Beavers communicate with each other using scent glands, and they mark their territory with this scent. This helps deter predators from entering their area.
5. Loud Slap of Tail: Beavers have a loud, flat tail that they can slap against the water to warn other beavers of danger. This warning call is a strong signal for everyone to get to safety.
6. Camouflage: Beavers are generally nocturnal, which helps them avoid detection by predators. Their brown fur also blends in well with their environment, providing them with some camouflage.
7. Defensive Behavior: When confronted by a predator, a beaver might try to appear larger by standing on its hind legs and slapping its tail. They may also hiss, growl, and even bite.
8. Group Living: Beavers live in family groups, which provides them with additional safety. With more individuals, they can share the responsibility of guarding their territory and watching for danger.
It's important to note that despite these defenses, beavers are still vulnerable to predators. Especially young, inexperienced beavers and beavers that are sick or injured are more at risk.