What are the characteristics of mammals?
Physical appearance
Mammals look different depending on how they move. Mammals with four limbs and a tail can walk, run or climb. They are usually covered in hair or fur.
 |
| Tail |
 |
| Chimpanzee climbing |
 |
| Fur |
Bats have wings and are the only mammals that can fly. Some mammals have fins and a tail. They swim underwater but come up to the surface to breathe. Humans are mammals. We have four limbs but no tail.
 |
| Bat |
 |
| Bat flying |
 |
| Dolphin |
 |
| Killer whale |
 |
| Humans |
Body functions
All mammals breathe with their lungs. Most mammals are viviparous. All female mammals produce milk to feed their young.
Mammals have different types of teeth
depending on their diet.
• Carnivores have sharp teeth to tear apart meat and bones.
• Herbivores have flat teeth and molars to grind leaves and grass.
• Omnivores have both types of teeth for a varied diet.
Types
Mammals are classified by how the offspring develop.
Placental mammals are the largest group. The offspring forms inside the uterus of the female. An organ called the placenta provides nutrients and oxygen.
Marsupial mammals have offspring that is not fully developed. It continues to develop inside a pouchin the mother’s skin.
Monotremes lay eggs. They are mammals because the female produces milk to feed her young after they hatch.
 |
| Platypus |
 |
| Echidna |
 |
| Este rinoceronte del Pleistoceno, extinto en una época prehistórica, podría ser el origen del mito del unicornio. |
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario
Nota: solo los miembros de este blog pueden publicar comentarios.