Mammals

__ ﻿ ﻿ __ Mammal Stats -Smallest: hog nosed bat/ shrew -Largest: Blue whale
 * Mammals are approximately .3% of all living things on earth
 * Found in a range of environments because they are endothermic and have diverse body plans
 * Dominant animalliving in hte current era
 * Over4,000 species

Mammal Characteristics - 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) -lungs, diaphram -four-chambered heart -endothermic -Internal fertilization -Internal development in uterus nourishment through placenta -mammary glands supply milk - MOST give birth to living young Mammal Classification
 * Body Structure
 * Body Function
 * Reproduction


 * Mammals placed into 3 groups determined by reproductive methods

1. Momotremes
 * egg laying mammals
 * lack of placenta
 * Ex: duckbilled platypus and echina (spiny anteater)

2. Marsupials
 * pouched mammals
 * found mainly in Austrailia and New Guinea
 * kangaroos, opossums
 * short gestation period

3. Placental Mammals
 * Young developed 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

__News Article__ Do you believe that these monkeys are actually helping in a restaurant? [] A kangaroo suprised by the picture [] A dolphin coming up for air. A polar bear playing with its child. A cheetah casting on its prey.

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