Adaptations are any features that organisms have to increase their chances of survival and to reproduce young.  A beaver is an animal that has a numerous amount of adaptations.

    One adaptation that beavers have are their wide, flat, scaly tails.  When swimming the beaver uses its tail to steer itself through the water.  Their tails are also useful for when a beaver is in danger.  They slap the water to warn the other beavers.  Another use for the beaver's tail is when they are towing heavy logs, they use their tails for balancing the weight.

    A second adaptation of a beaver is its coat.  Their coats keep them very warm because it has two layers. On the outer layer there are long, shiny guard hairs to protect the beaver from predators.  Underneath there is a thick, woolly layer of shorter fur.

    Beavers have two double hind claws located on each hind foot.  These hind claws open like a tiny pair of pliers to untangle its fur and keep it clean.

    Near the beavers tail there are a pair of glands where a special oil is made.  They spread this oil through their fur with their paws.  Even after an hour of swimming, a beaver's body stays dry and cozy inside its oily, waterproofed coat.

    Beaver's also have protection for their eyes. When they swim an extra pair of see through eyelids close over its eyes, a beaver can see just as well underwater as it can above.

   The beaver is a very interesting and well adapted animal. I really enjoyed doing this project and I found it very informative.