Teeth at Work

Mar 23, 2010 by Naomi.

Sometimes being a volunteer requires more walking than a health club tread mill. Sue McDonald, USFW Park Ranger, discovered the work of a beaver and Deb Jennings tracked the critter from the cutting on the Birding Spur to the water’s edge by the Bird Hide. I searched for the route used by the mammal and found the dragging trails. The critter would have eaten the bark off after felling the tree as it chewed the tree into manageable lengths for hauling away. We know many skills of animals in the evolutionary scheme of things are innate in humans. The evidence of the beaver’s work on McNary trail will be noted when students come to visit. Luckily the incisors of the beaver and other rodents were left behind in some past glitch of evolution. I am happy that my front teeth do not keep growing all my life like rodent teeth. I use my incisors to bite food into small pieces that my tongue and mouth can chew up and swallow. You can be assured we will take the students on the route of the beaver. Walking. Walking. It will be exercise. But then, remember I will not be dragging a log along with which I must later build my house. With my teeth, no less.

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