The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-02
ANIMALS THAT CAN SWIM.
Bear Considered Hest Swimmer. Horse
and Deer Rank Next.
From SMccf6s

In spite OF the fact that man is not an in
stinctive swimmer, as are most Of the lower
animals. he eXcels all Of tho latter that are
not aquatic in endurance in the water. II is
reported that. In attempting to swim across
the English Channel recently. a man covered
thirty miles before he succumbedto exhaus-
ton. The only land animals that are known
to be able to approximate such feat are
bears. which are probably the strongest
swimmers among animals not specially
adapted by nature for the water.
Deer and horses rank next to bears In
swimming powers. Deer swim rapidly and
gracefully, and IL il not uncommon for them
to cover a distance OF ten or even fifteen
miles III the water Horses are powerful
swimmers. and have none Of the aversion to-
ward entering the water which is often shown
even by animals which can swim well when
forced to- number of horses that were
red on the American side Of the Niagara
River once swan In company across this broad
stream in order to return to their old stables.
1t may be useful 10 know that. In crossing
a body of water with horse. the best method.
II the horse is expected to swim any con-
siderable distance. lie to slide over his back.
hold the animal lightly by the tail. and allow
1t to tow you across. This relieves the horse
OF the weight of the body. and enables him
to swim faster and much further than other
wise would be the case.
Dogs vary greatly in ability as swimmers.
The water spaniel. retriever. mastiff and St.
Bernard excel all others. retriever known
to the writer once followed a canoe for nine
miles. The dog was much exhausted. how
ever, when drawn into the boat.
The elephant is a good swimmer. and the
wild animals of tho cat family. the tiger.
the panther, the jaguar and others. do not
hesitate TO cross lakes and rivers. On the
other hand. the domestic cat shrinRs from
immersion. and browns quickly. The nos
trils of some small animals are so placed
as TO render breathing very difficult when
they are in the water. Among these are mice
and rabbits, which will drown without sink
ing beneath the surface. Rats are excellent
| swimmers.
Almost all birds except those which are dis
tinctly natatoriei are nearly helpless in water
Small birds. in particular. have no power
| of propulsion, and though they do not sink
they drown quickly. Even many species
| of water fowl rise from the water with diff
| fculty or not at all, when their wings are
| wet. After q sea gull plupges and returns
| to the surface it stretches its wings 40 thai
| they may be dried by the wind and sun before
| 1t attempts to fly.
All reptiles swim. Almost all snakes move
| through the water with as much ease and
| rapdity as on land. Rattlesnakes, for ex.
| ample, are much given to swimming in piaci
water II 1t is not too cold. In the EverHlade
Lakes of Florida they may be often seen. II
| is well TO know that to attack from boat q
| poisonous snake In the water IL a much more
dangerous proceeding than to attack the snake
| on land The reason is that the reptile viii
Immediately make for the boat. since II must
| have n solidsbase from which to strike. II
| half leaps ana half climbs into the craft anc
there is fight at uncomfortably close quar-