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. There are also instances of fully terrestrial mammals that are capable swimmers, demonstrating a spectrum of interaction rather than a strict binary classification of land versus sea dwellers.
Sirenians: Adaptations of Manatees and Dugongs for Aquatic Life
Land mammals use legs for walking and running, but in water, this becomes inefficient. To counteract this, marine mammals rely on a thick layer of blubber, which acts as both insulation and an energy reserve.
These evolutionary changes highlight the diverse ways mammals have solved the problem of aquatic locomotion. Thermoregulation and Insulation Water conducts heat away from the body much faster than air, making hypothermia a significant threat for any mammal in the water.
Sirenians: Adaptations for Aquatic Life in Manatees and Dugongs
This social cohesion is a key factor in their long-term survival. Semi-aquatic mammals, like beavers and otters, split their time between land and water, utilizing aquatic environments for specific activities such as feeding or refuge.
More About Can mammals live in water
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