1. Defensive Structures:
* Lodges: These are dome-shaped homes built in the water, with entrances underwater and a series of tunnels leading to the living chamber. Predators like wolves, coyotes, and bears have a difficult time accessing the beavers inside.
* Dams: By building dams, beavers create a moat of water around their lodges, making it harder for land-based predators to reach them.
* Burrows: In areas with less water, beavers may dig burrows in the bank with entrances underwater.
2. Active Defenses:
* Teeth: Beavers have large, sharp incisor teeth that they use to defend themselves. They can inflict painful bites on attackers.
* Tails: Their flat, scaly tails are used for balance and swimming, but also for warning signals. A beaver will slap its tail on the water surface when it senses danger, alerting other beavers in the area.
* Defensive Spray: Beavers also produce a strong-smelling musk from glands near their tail, which they can spray at predators to deter them.
3. Other Strategies:
* Nocturnal Habits: Beavers are primarily active at night, which reduces their chances of encountering predators during daylight hours.
* Group Living: Beavers live in colonies, offering safety in numbers. This allows them to share watch duties and warn each other of danger.
4. Camouflage: Beavers have a brown fur color that blends into their surroundings, making them harder to spot.
While these defenses are effective, beavers are still vulnerable to predation by large predators like wolves, bears, and cougars. However, their clever strategies and adaptations significantly increase their chances of survival.