What are Mammals?

Mammals are a type of vertebrate animal, which includes animals such as humans, cats, dogs, horses, BEARS, elephants, and many more. Tremendous and varied, mammals form a biological classification system based on their characteristics and evolutionary history. Scientists classify mammals within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata and class Mammalia, which derive from the Latin word mamma, meaning ‘breast’. This refers to the mammary glands that are present in female mammals, used to produce milk to feed their young.

Characteristics of Mammals

Mammals have a number of distinguishing characteristics, most notably their hair or fur. This is usually distributed across their entire body and is used to protect their skin from the elements, as well as keeping them warm. Secondly, They all have a neocortex, a layer of the brain essential for advanced cognitive functions such as learning and sensing emotions.

The most recognized of all mammals is the presence of mammary glands. These are located on the chest of female mammals and are used to produced milk for feeding their offspring. Also, like all other animals, mammals must take in oxygen to survive and most mammals do this by inhaling air through the nose and mouth. Furthermore, their prone to displaying certain behaviors such as communicating with each other, needing social interaction, and some form of movement, like walking or running.

Classification of Mammals

This vast and varied kingdom of mammals can further be classified into three subgroups; monotremes, marsupials, and placentals.

• Monotremes are the most unique of the three classes as they have many characteristics of both reptiles and mammals. Examples of monotremes include the duck billed platypus and the echidna, which lay eggs.

• The second class are marsupials, which are mammals exhibiting pouched reproductive organs. Common examples are kangaroos and koalas, which carry their baby in an external pouch.

• Placental mammals are by far the largest and most diverse class of mammals. These mammals carry their young internally and the foetus is nourished by the placenta. Examples of these mammals include whales, humans, seals, and bears.

In conclusion, mammals are a unique, diverse and varied biological class that possess many similarities and differences between each of its members. From lay eggs to producing milk to feed their young, to the neocortex, mammals are a fascinating group of living organisms that should be appreciated and conserved for generations to come.