Characteristics of Mammals

• Vertebrates: Mammals have a backbone, which is part of their internal skeleton.
• Endothermic: Mammals regulate their body temperature internally, allowing them to adapt to various environments.
• Specialized Skin Glands: Mammals have sweat glands for regulating body temperature and mammary glands for producing milk to nourish their young.
• Live Birth: Most mammals give birth to live young, although a few, such as the monotremes (e.g., platypus, echidna), lay eggs.

Diversity of Mammals

Mammals are incredibly diverse and can be found in nearly every habitat on Earth. They range in size from the tiny bumblebee bat to the massive blue whale. Mammals also exhibit a wide range of behaviors and feeding habits, from herbivores like cows to carnivores like lions and omnivores like bears.

Classification of Mammals

Mammals are classified into different groups, including monotremes (egg-laying mammals), marsupials (pouched mammals), and placental mammals. Placental mammals are the most diverse group and include familiar animals like dogs, cats, elephants, and humans.

Importance of Mammals

Mammals play crucial roles in ecosystems as predators, prey, seed dispersers, and pollinators. They also hold significant cultural and economic value for humans, providing sources of food, clothing, and companionship.

[Mammals] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Vertebrates - Animals with BackbonesScience • Fourth Grade
• Grouping of AnimalsScience • Third Grade
• Birds and MammalsScience • Sixth Grade
• Mammals and birdsScience • Second Grade