Mammals are the most studied group of animals, making them the best known vertebrates. This is because it is the group in which humans are included, so after centuries of trying to get to know each other, our species has been looking for other mammals.
In this peritoAnimal article, we will explain the definition of mammals, which is much broader than we usually know. In addition, we will explain the characteristics of mammals and some known and other less common examples.
- Mammals are a large group of vertebrate animals at constant body temperature.
- Classified in the Mammalia class.
- Mammals are generally defined as furry animals and mammary glands.
- Which give birth to their offspring.
- However.
- Mammals are much more complex organisms.
- With more definitive characteristics than those mentioned.
All mammals descend from a single common ancestor that appeared at the end of the Triassic, about 200 million years ago. Specifically, mammals descended from primitive synapses, amniotic tethropiates, i.e. four-legged animals whose embryos were developed protected by four envelopes. After the extinction of the dinosaurs, about 65 million years ago, mammals diversified from this common ancestor into several species, adapting to all means, terrestrial, aquatic and air.
As mentioned above, these animals are not defined by only one or two characters, in fact they have unique morphological characteristics, as well as a great ethological complexity that makes each individual unique.
The characteristics of vertebrate mammals are
A definição clássica de mamífero excluiria algumas das primeiras espécies de mamíferos que apareceram no planeta. A classe Mammalia se divide em três ordens, os monotremados, marsupiais e placentários.
To give you a better understanding of these animals, here is a comprehensive list of examples of mammalian animals, although it is not as extensive as the more than 5,200 species of mammals that currently exist on planet Earth.
We will start with terrestrial mammals, some of which are
There are also aquatic mammals, some of which are:
After the examples of mammals, here are some species of monotromes:
There are also marsupial mammals, among which the most popular are
To conclude this article on the characteristics of mammals, here are some flying mammal species you need to know:
If you would like to read articles similar to Mammal Characteristics: Definition and Examples, we recommend that you visit our Curiosities of the Animal World section.