I was watching the first Beaver trapping video by Charles Dobbins, and he states that it is his belief that a beaver cannot see under water, but navigates his channels by feel with his whiskers.

I got to thinking about this and was wondering if that is so, then how do they find food or your bait under ice?

This question came up last week when I was teaching someone how to trap beaver, and I have been thinking about it frequently ever since.

Post deleted by Kre

I think they can see also. I know of some beavers that have very good vision when they are avoiding some of my 330 bodygrips under water - lol.

I do believe,beaver have a special eyelid(clear)that allows them to see underwater.This lid is in addition to the regular one.
Tom

i bet they see stars when that 330 whacks him behind the ears. lol. I think they can see underwater also. to what extent i dont know. like Paul said they sure can avoid a 330 that is totally submerged.

I've seen that special eyelid.

This fall I watched a big one come out of his lodge and swim down a channel quite a ways. Really something to see, just like a little manatee swimming along.

Kraig,if they could--you would have the perfect animal.
I have tried perfecting those acts,but the rolaids become a bit soggy in the water--the coffee can be inhaled through a straw.
Tom

beavers have a nictitating membrane, its a third eyelid that moves across their eye when theyre underwater, i beleive beavers are one a the few mammals that have them, besides seals, manatees and cats, i beleive

I believe that would be called it's nictitating membrane if it is like an alligator. Also they have that small bump on the skull just infront of their eyes to keep stuff from poking them in the eyeball.

d'oh didn't read that post above me before I posted..LOL

You can see under water, I can see under water only stands to reason an animal that lives in water would be able to see where he is going. I spray all my coni's camo and would not go back to straight black, for muskrats, mink or beaver.