INTRODUC

TION
TO
MAMMALS
INTRODUCTION
TO MAMMALS
The mammals from the
phylogenetically “highest” group of
the vertebrate animal kingdom
The term “mammal” refers to the
Greek word “mammae” which means
mammary gland.
They include: moles, bats, rodents,
cats, dogs, monkeys, horses, whales,
deer, and humans
Mammals include over 5000 species
and 26 orders.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
MAMMALS
Have mammary gland
Have hair and fur
Are endothermic vertebrate (warm blooded)
Internal organs (example four chambered heart)
Respiration always by lungs (pulmonary)
Fertilization internal preceded by copulation (internal development)
Brain highly developed.
SOME ADAPTION OF
MAMMALS FOR SURVIVAL
Blubber: A thick layer that insulates the fat. This type of skin is
shared among marine mammals. (Example: Dolphins)
Fur: Certain animals have two layers of fur, namely outer guard
hair (coat/fur) and the inner woolly underfur. The outer fur sheds
the water and keeps the underfur dry. (Example: Tiger)
Spines: The outer hair of some animals are made into stiffer,
sharper, and thicker spines that protect from predators.
(Example: Porcupine)
MAMMAL LOCOMOTION
Mammals survive in a wide range of ecosystems and thus have adapted many
strategies for moving around to find food/catch prey or escape predators:
• Walking/running – ungulates, carnivores, etc.
• Jumping – kangaroos, rabbits, etc.
• Digging/burrowing – moles, shrews, gophers, etc.
• Climbing – primates, squirrels, sloths, etc.
• Gliding – sugar gliders, flying squirrels, colugos (flying lemurs)
• Flying – bats • Swimming – platypus, shrews, muskrat, beavers, seals,
whales, etc.
TYPES OF MAMMALS
Monotreme
Marsupial
Placental
MONOTREMES MAMMAL

This type of mammal lay eggs, and the offspring come out from the hatched
eggs. These are the ancient form of mammals, and even today, these
mammals do exist. The babies feed on their mother’s milk, similar to other
mammals. The young lap milk from tufts of fur rather than suckling as in
marsupials and placental mammals. Example (platypus)
 MARSUPIAL “POUCHED
MAMMALS”
This type of mammal gives birth to undeveloped offspring, and the
baby grows on a pouch on the mother’s belly. From there, babies
drink their mother’s milk to get all nutrients and become fully
evolved babies.
PLACENTAL MAMMAL

are therian mammals in which a placenta develops during

pregnancy. The placenta sustains the fetus while it grows inside the
mother’s uterus. Placental mammals give birth to relatively large
and mature infants. Most mammals are placental mammals.
 REFERENCE
L. (2021, February 28). 15.23: Introduction to Mammals. Biology Libre Texts.
https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Lumen_Learning/Book-_Biology_for_Non_Majors_II_(Lumen)/15%
3A_Module_12-_Vertebrates/15.23%3A_Introduction_to_Mammals