To counteract this, marine mammals rely on a thick layer of blubber, which acts as both insulation and an energy reserve. In some cases, such as with river otters, dense underfur traps a layer of air next to the skin, creating a waterproof barrier that keeps the skin dry and warm.
Understanding the Mammalian Dive Response for Underwater Survival
Semi-aquatic mammals often retain webbed feet or utilize undulating spine movements, like the otter, to navigate through their environment. The question of whether mammals can live in water requires an exploration of physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and the different ways various species interact with aquatic environments.
Their existence is a clear demonstration that mammals can not only live in water but can also become dominant herbivores in those habitats. Reproduction and Social Structure Even mammals that spend the majority of their lives underwater must return to the surface to breathe.
How Aquatic Mammals Survive Underwater: The Mammalian Dive Response
Many species give birth in the water, which provides a safer environment for vulnerable calves against terrestrial predators. They possess high levels of myoglobin in their muscles, which stores oxygen and allows them to hold their breath for extended periods while diving.
More About Can mammals live in water
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