Castoridae

views updated

Castoridae (beaver; order Rodentia, suborder Sciuromorpha) A family of semi-aquatic rodents that have dense fur, valvular nostrils and ears, enlarged, webbed hind feet, strongly clawed pentadactyl limbs, horizontal, scaly, paddle-like tails, and small eyes and ears. Both sexes possess paired anal scent glands. The skull is massive, the cheek teeth rooted and hypsodont. There are two species in a single genus, Castor, which has a Holarctic distribution.

More From encyclopedia.com