New Jersey Scuba Diving

Beaver

Castor canadensis

Size: 3-4 ft ( total length )

Habitat: in and around water

Notes:
Famous for their dam-building habits, beavers were once a major ecological force in North America, reshaping a very large proportion of the land to suit themselves. Unfortunately for them, they also became a major economic force - much of the early exploration of the continent was done by fur trappers. Today, beavers are rare, and virtually non-existent in New Jersey, although there are a few colonies.

Lobstering - Know Your Foe

bug — This little guy will be safe from divers for a while. Notice how the tailings of his excavation are a different color than the surrounding bottom.

Lobsters, like most invertebrates, have a much slower nervous system than our own. In tiny creatures, such as insects, this is no great disadvantage, since their "wire runs" ( or nerves ) are so short. However, in bigger invertebrates, this translates into very long reaction times. Therefore, big lobsters have slow reflexes, much slower than even humans. Another common invertebrate trait is a lack of stamina, at least compared to us. In other words, they tire quickly in a chase. This is not to say that they lack tenacity - once they get a good grip on you, they can hold on forever, and even breaking the claw off may not cause it to release.

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Beaver

Freshwater Mammals

Lobstering - Know Your Foe