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Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates that have four limbs, hairs, and complex brains.
They also have mammary glands that produce milk to feed their young. Mammals can be
classified into three groups: egg-laying monotremes, marsupials, and placentals. Some
examples of mammals include Humans, Dogs, Cats, Whales, Dolphins, Bats, and Elephants.
In this article, we will discuss mammals and how they are classified based on their
characteristics with some of the examples.

Table of Content
 What are Mammals?
 Characteristics of Mammals
 Types of Mammals
 Classification Of Mammals
 General Classification of Mammals
 Example of Mammals
What are Mammals?
Definition of Mammals: Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates that have backbones, hair
or fur, mammary glands, and the ability to give birth to live young.

Mammals are animals that fall under the class Mammalia. They are among the most evolved
species in the animal kingdom and are classified as vertebrata. They are distinct from all
other animals due to their advanced features. They are characterised by hair, mammary
glands for nurturing young with milk, a diaphragm, three middle ear bones, and a lower jaw
consisting of a single pair of bones that articulate uniquely with the skull.

Their mammary glands, which they use to nurse their young, are what distinguish them. They
can be found all over the world and have adapted well to their environment, which includes
rivers, rainforests, polar regions, deserts, and oceans. Mammals can regulate their body
temperatures and internal environment in extreme heat and dryness, as well as in severe cold.
This versatility in surviving and thriving on Earth is largely attributed to their unique ability.
The world is home to about 6,000 different species of living mammals.

Also Read: Levels of Organization in Animals

Characteristics of Mammals
Characterisctics of Mammals are as follows:

 Mammals are animals with warm blood that give birth to their offspring.
 In practically every kind of habitat, they are the most prevalent animal form.
 Their mammary glands aid in the production of milk, which they use to nourish their young.
 The brain region referred to as the Neocortex is present.
 Sebaceous glands, which produce animal oil, and sudoriferous glands, which produce sweat,
are found in their skin.
 Animals’ ability to adapt to their surroundings is aided by the fur and hair on their bodies.
 They are heterodont, i.e., possess different types of teeth.
 Mammals also possess cervical vertebrae.
 The skull is dicondylic.
 The trunk is divided into thorax and abdomen.
 The lungs are used by mammals to breathe.
 Good sense of hearing because mammals have three middle ear bones to help them hear.
 Mammals have a four-chambered heart. The sinus venous and renal portal system are
absent.
 lower jaws with a single bone present.
 The cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla comprise the well-developed brain.
 Exhibit one of the most advanced forms of diaphragms. They have twelve pairs of nerves in
their skulls.
 The mammals can lay eggs as well. They are known as viviparous.
Also Read: Anatomy & Physiology of Human Skeletal System

Types of Mammals
Mammals appeared over 200 million years ago during the dinosaur era. While initially small,
their evolution surged after the extinction of dinosaurs around 66 million years ago, resulting
in the development of larger forms. Distinguished by warm-bloodedness and fur, mammals
thrive in a variety of habitats worldwide, spanning from icy polar regions to lush tropical
forests. Generally, mammals fall under the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and class
Mammalia. The widely accepted categorization of mammals is based on three major
reproductive methods:

 Monotremes Mammals
 Marsupial Mammals
 Placental Mammals

Monotremes Marsupials Placental mammals

Give birth to live, fully Give birth to live, still Give birth to live, fully
developed young developing young developed young

Examples-Opossum and Examples-Dog and Examples-Opossum and

koala, Dog and anteater, anteater, Echidna and kangaroo, Humans and
Echidna and platypus platypus, Opossum and dogs, Echidna and platypus
 Monotremes Marsupials Placental mammals

koala

Give birth to live, still Give birth to live, fully Give birth to live, still
developing young developed young developing young

Lay eggs Lay eggs Lay eggs

Also Read: Classification Of Animals

Classification of Mammals
Mammalia is the largest class in the animal kingdom, encompassing various types that can be
categorized into smaller, larger, and marine mammals. They are further classified into two
subclasses based on their reproduction.

 Eutheria
 Metatheria
 Prototheria
Eutheria
This infraclass includes mammals that give birth to well-developed offspring or deliver them
directly. The embryos form within the mother’s stomach, where they undergo a specific
period of growth, obtaining nutrition from the mother’s placenta for their development. In
total, this infraclass encompasses 19 orders.

Also Read:Overview On Viviparous, Oviparous & Development of Embryo

Order Examples

Proboscidea Elephants

Rodentia Hamsters, squirrels, Rats

Artiodactyla Cows

Insectivora Moles, shrew

Dermoptera Flying lemurs

Artidactyla Goat, giraffes, camels

Carnivora Dogs, Bears

Chiroptera Bats, flying foxes

Pholiodota Pangolins

Lagomorpha Rabbits and hares

Cetacea Whales, dolphins

Sirenia Seacows

Perissodactyla Horses, Zebras

Edentata Armadillos

Primates Lemurs, lorises

 Order Examples

Afrosoricida Golden moles

Hyracoidea Hyraxes

Pilosa Sloths

Scandentia Tree shrews

Metatheria
Females in this infraclass are distinguished by the possession of a marsupium or brood pouch,
earning them the designation of marsupials or pouched mammals. Immature offspring are
born to these mammals and undergo development within their mother’s pouch until reaching
maturity. With over 250 species, they inhabit regions across Australia, Papua New Guinea,
and certain parts of America. For example, kangaroos, koalas and possums.

Metatheria Sub-class is Divided into 7 Orders Including 250 Species.

Order Examples

Notoryctemorphia Marsupial moles

Diprotodontia Kangaroo

Microbiotheria Colocolo

Didelphimorphia New world opossum

Dasyuromorphia Dasyurids

Peramelemorphia Bandicoots

Paucituberculata South American rat opossum

Prototheria
Prototherians, recognized as the most primitive mammals, are exclusively found in Australia
and its neighboring islands like Tasmania and New Guinea. Also known as Monotremes, this
subclass is characterized by egg-laying mammals, and it encompasses a single order
comprising six species. Example: Duck Billed platypus (Ornithorhyncus), Echidna
(Tachyglossus).

 Order: Monotremata
Also Read: Evolution

General Classification of Mammals

General Classification of Mammals is as follows:

Animals Lion, Tiger, Dog

Marsupials Kangaroo, Koala, Womba

Primates Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Monkey

Rodents Squirrel. Mouse, Porcupine

Cetaceans Dolphins, Whales

Other
Seal, Walrus, Sea-lion
mammals

Example of Mammals
There are over 5,000 species of mammals on Earth. Mammals are found all over the world,
from the coldest Arctic regions to the hottest deserts. They are the most diverse group of
animals on Earth. Some examples of mammals include:

1. Humans
2. Dogs
3. Cats
4. Whales
5. Dolphins
6. Bats
7. Elephants
8. Horse,
9. Cows
10. Mice
11. Rats
The largest orders of mammals by number of species are Rodents, Bats, Eulipotyphla,
Primates, Even-toed ungulates, Carnivora.
Conclusion – Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrate animals with hair or fur, a large brain, and mammary
glands that produce milk to feed their young. They are the most dominant form of animals
found in almost all types of habitats. Mammals are divided into three groups: monotremes,
marsupials, and placentals. Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs, such as the platypus and
echidna.

Marsupials are mammals that carry their young in a pouch, such as kangaroos, koalas, and
opossums. Placental mammals are characterized by the presence of a placenta, such as
humans, lions, and whales. Mammals are among the most intelligent of all living creatures
and they include a wide variety of animals, from cats to humans to whales.

Also Read:

 How Animals Reproduce – Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

 Endemic Species: Meaning, Characteristics, Types and Examples
 Difference Between Humans and Animals
 Herbivore Animals
 Cold Blooded vs Warm Blooded Animals
 The Living World – Introduction, Classification, Characteristics, FAQs
 Class Mammalia
FAQs – Mammals
What is Called a Mammals?
Mammals are a class of warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair, complex brain and produce
milk for their young.
What are the 5 Types of Mammals?
Five types of mammals are: Primates-Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Monkey, 2. Rodents-Squirrel,
Mouse, Porcupine, 3. Cetaceans Dolphins, Whales, 4. Other mammals- Seal, Walrus, Sea-
lion and Animals- Lion, Tiger, Dog.
What are the 7 Characteristics of Mammals?
Mammals are characterized by features such as mammary glands for milk production, warm-
blooded metabolism, body hair or fur, live birth, a four-chambered heart, a vertebral column,
and the presence of three middle ear bones.
What are the 3 Main Types of Mammals?
Mammals can be generally classified into three broad groups: Eutheria, Metatheria,
Prototheria
What are the Major Characteristics of Mammalia?
These creatures are warm-blooded beings adorned with fur, equipped with mammary glands
that serve the vital function of nourishing their offspring.
Why is Dolphin a Mammal?
Dolphins are mammals, breathing with lungs, having mammary glands, and giving birth
instead of laying eggs.
How are the Mammals Classified?
Mammals are classified as eutheria, prototheria, metatheria.
Give Examples of Prototherians.
Examples of Prototherians include platypus and echidna.
What is the Zoology of Mammals?
Mammalogy in zoology studies mammals, characterized by traits such as homeothermic
metabolism, fur, four-chambered hearts, and complex nervous systems.
What’s the Difference Between Wild and Domesticated Mammals?
Wild mammals live independently in natural habitats, while domesticated mammals are
selectively bred and live under human care for various purposes.

Article Tags :
School Biology

School Learning

Diversity-of-Life-Forms

Zoology

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