Keeping fur clean

Dr. Andrew Dickerson and colleagues at the University of Tennessee wondered why underwater surfaces collect algae and bacteria whereas the fur of semiaquatic mammals, such as otters and beavers, do not. The collection of bacteria, slime, plants, and organisms such as mussels on underwater surfaces is called “biofouling” In a new study, scientists discovered that the fur of semiaquatic animals has a unique property: each hair is able to move […]

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