Beavers -- if you paid attention to the videos your teachers showed during grade school science -- have very small eyes and closeable ears and nostrils. They're mammals evolved for life on and in the water, which the last time we checked, the Detroit River was. So they cannot read, hear or otherwise take in the current clamor over a member of their species spotted strolling through the decidedly unnatural recreational area of the Detroit Riverwalk.
Do not get too close, lest it signal distress with a slap of its heavy tail. (Photo: Twitter)
But it turns out there's a beaver who has set up housekeeping at nearby Milliken State Park, and sometimes it needs to get where it's going via byways made for people. So when a member of Castor canadensis was spotted Friday padding through the Riverwalk, dragging its heavy tail behind, of course a million phone cameras were deployed.
We have only a few questions: Did someone give the beaver a cute name? (Yes: Justine Beaver.) Did a respectable media outlet other than us run a story about it? (Yes. Freep.) Are we happy to learn the more-plentiful Detroit River muskrats, aka Ondatra zibethicus, have some company? (Yes.) Do we hope Justine Beaver reproduces somehow and increases the population with adorable beaver kits? (Oh, very much so.)
Have a nice day. Check out the beaver:
Meanwhile, on the Detroit Riverfront, you never know WHO you are going to see getting their exercise in! #bestriverwalkdetroit #eagerbeaver #walkthisway #detroit #walkitout #bringeverybody pic.twitter.com/VijVhhO7tl
— Detroit Riverfront (@DetroitRvrfrnt) October 16, 2021
