
These animals can grow up to 4 feet long and typically weigh over 60 pounds. They can also produce oil over their fur to keep them warm when in cold waters. Their webbed hind feet help them swim by propelling them through the water. North American beavers are semi-aquatic mammals, known for creating dams in rivers. While you might know about some of them, there might be a few that surprise you! 1. Here is a list of 14 animals that have evolved to have webbed feet. Let’s find out more! 14 animals with webbed feet This article will cover 14 animals with webbed feet, including information on their natural habitats or lifestyles that influenced the need for webbing on their feet.

These animals have adapted over generations in order to survive their environments.

The evolution of animals with webbed feet is mostly because of their need to navigate water or walk on different land conditions. Instead, they are connected by a piece of skin, so their toes can’t move individually. Some have what we called webbed feet, meaning their toes are not separated. To learn more about the Akita, visit the Akita Club of America ()Īkita in Snow Courtesy Colleen Sullivan and Rebecca Ginsberg.Animals come in many shapes and sizes, including varying feet and hand features that help them survive. But for those who do, it is an experience like none other, a chance to share your life with a national treasure. Not everyone has what it takes to live with one of these majestic dogs. Highly intelligent, strong-willed, and proud, the Akita responds best to respectful commands and positive-training techniques that rely on motivation rather than force. Independent and sometimes aloof with strangers, Akitas are affectionate with their families and form strong bonds. While most often seen in the conformation ring, there are also some Akitas in other dog sports, such as obedience and agility. Several hundred have been registered as therapy dogs and some have obtained the AKC Therapy Dog title and can be seen visiting nursing homes and hospitals, and doing reading programs with children at schools and libraries. When you see a group of Akitas tails, very few look the same.Īn Akita will groom himself like a cat, is clean, and housebreaking is usually not a problem.Īkitas are members of the AKC Working Group. Keller found the dogs to be “gentle, companionable, and trusty.”Īn Akita’s trademark is the plush tail that typically curls over his back. She was said to have been inspired by the legendary Hachiko, the loyal dog who became world famous for waiting nine years at a train station in hopes his dead owner would return.

When a child is born in Japan, the proud family will usually receive a small statue of an Akita, signifying health, happiness, and a long life.įamous author and political activist Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first Akita into the United States in 1937. There is a spiritual significance attached to the Akita. Caring and feeding of the Akita were detailed in elaborate ceremony and special leashes were used to denote the Akita’s rank and the standing of his owner. At one time, Akita ownership was restricted to the Imperial family and the ruling aristocracy. The Akita is designated as a national treasure in his native country. It is safe to say they prefer colder weather, love eating snow, and rolling in it as a snow “scrub.” If there is snow on the ground, they will stay out all day hunting rabbit, squirrel, and other small game, in a securely fenced yard until relegated to come inside the house. When the weather turns cooler the dogs seem to have a “turbo” button that switches on. Historically, they keep their front dew claws because these “ice picks” help them climb out of icy water. There is a museum in Odate devoted to the breed.Īkitas have webbed toes to help walk on snow by distributing their weight more effectively. Before Akitas had an “official” breed name they were referred to simply as “snow country dogs.” The breed originated from the snowy, rural, mountainous region of Japan, Akita and Odate, where they were used to hunt boar, elk, and the small Yezo bear.
