Mammals


 * Mammal Facts:**
 * Found in range of environments because they are endothermic and have diverse body plans
 * Dominant animal living in the current era
 * Over 4000 species
 * Smallest: hog nosed bat/ Shrew
 * Largest: Blue Whale


 * Body Structure:**
 * Body covered by hair
 * Specialized teeth for different diets
 * Canines: tearing
 * Incisors: cutting
 * Molars: grinding (especially plants; herbivores)
 * Range of foot structures:
 * Walk on foot, digits, or one toe (Ex. Hoof)


 * Body Function:**
 * lungs, diaphragm
 * four-chambered heart
 * endothermy


 * Reproduction:**
 * internal fertilization
 * internal development in uterus
 * nourishment through placenta
 * mammary glands supply milk
 * MOST give birth to live young

**Taxonomy**
 * Mammals placed into 3 groups determined by reproductive methods


 * __ Monotremes: __ **
 * egg-laying mammals
 * lack placenta
 * Examples: duckbilled platypus, echidna


 * __Marsupials:__**
 * Pouched mammals
 * Found mainly in Australia and New Guinea
 * Examples: kangaroos, opossums
 * Short gestation period


 * __Placental Mammals:__**
 * Young develop completely in uterus
 * Nourished by the placenta
 * __Gestation__: period of development inside the mother
 * Much longer gestation period than other mammals
 * 95% of all mammals


 * Placental Mammals Orders: **
 * Xenarthra
 * Lagomorpha
 * Rodentia
 * Primates
 * Chiroptera
 * Insectivora
 * Carnivora
 * Artiodactyla
 * Perissodactyla
 * Cetacea
 * Sirenia
 * Proboscidea

Chimpanzee. a mammal with hair covering its body, and closely related to humans
 * Pictures:**

Human- smartest of all mammals have hair in specific parts of body.

Killer whale- viscious one of all the mammals, have fine hairs in their body and live in water.

clydsedale- strong fierce mamal than has a mane

siberian tiger- fierce k9 teeth used to rip through meat, very strong.
 * Videos:**

[|Mammals vs. Dinos]

[|How Mammals Work]


 * Article: "We are, in a sense, the ultimate mammals."**
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