Home>>All Animals>>Mammal

mammals

Mammals are an important group of vertebrates characterized by the presence of mothers feeding their offspring. Notable characteristics of mammals include lactation, body hair, endothermy (warm-blooded animals), and a four-chambered heart. There are many species of mammals, living in almost all ecosystems on Earth, from the deep sea to the mountains, from tropical rainforests to the cold polar regions.

  • scientific name:Mammalia

  • Features

    • suckle:Females have mammary glands that secrete milk to feed their young.

    • Body hair:Most mammals are covered with hair.

    • Endothermic:Maintaining a constant body temperature through metabolism.

    • Four-chambered heart:Mammals have four-chambered hearts to ensure efficient oxygen delivery.

    • viviparous:Most mammals reproduce by giving birth to live young, but some species, such as monotremes (e.g. the platypus), lay eggs.

  • Habitat:Almost all habitats on Earth, including land, ocean, fresh water, polar regions, etc.

Mammals.jpg


Mammal classification table

Mammals are numerous and can be subdivided based on different biological characteristics. Mammals are roughly divided into three subclasses:

  1. Monotremata: Oviparous mammals.

  2. Marsupialia: Kangaroos, koalas, etc., whose young continue to develop in a pouch outside the mother's body.

  3. Eutheria: Viviparous mammals, the most abundant species, including humans, lions, whales, etc.

The following is a detailed classification table of mammals, including all orders, families, genera and typical animals:

sortOrderFamilyGenusExamples
MonotremataMonotremataOrnithorhynchidaeOrnithorhynchusPlatypus, Echidna


TachyglossidaeEchidnaEchidna
MarsupialiaMarsupialiaMacropodidaeMacropusKangaroos, wombats, possums


PhascolarctidaePhascolarctoskoala


DasyuridaeDasyurusBandicoot, Tasmanian devil
EutheriaCarnivoraCanidaeCanisWolf, dog, fox


FelidaeFelisHouse cat, lion, tiger


UrsidaeUrsusBlack bear, brown bear, polar bear

PerissodactylaEquidaeEquusHorse, donkey, zebra


RhinocerotidaeRhinocerosWhite rhino, black rhino


TapiridaeTapirusTapirus

ArtiodactylaBovidaeBosCattle, antelopes, sheep


CervidaeCervusDeer, reindeer, sika deer


SuidaeSusWild boar, domestic pig

CetaceaBalaenidaeMegapteraHumpback whale, blue whale


DelphinidaeDelphinusDolphins, killer whales

PrimatesCercopithecidaePongoOrangutans, gibbons, monkeys


HominidaeHomoHumans, chimpanzees, orangutans

RodentiaSciuridaeSciurusSquirrels, Ground Squirrels


CastoridaeCastorbeaver


MuridaeMusHouse mouse, vole

ChiropteraVespertilionidaeMyotisSmall bat, big bat

LagomorphaLeporidaeOryctolagusRabbit, hare

Characteristics and Adaptations of Mammals

Mammals are one of the most diverse groups in the biological world. Here are the main characteristics of mammals and how they adapt:


1. Breastfeeding

A notable feature of mammals is that mothers secrete milk through their mammary glands to feed their offspring. This allows mammal cubs to receive adequate nutritional support after birth, increasing their survival rate.


2. Body hair

Almost all mammals have body hair, which not only helps to keep warm, but also plays a camouflage or display function in some species. For example, the white hair of polar bears helps them camouflage in the snow and reduce the risk of being discovered by prey.


3. Homeothermy

Mammals maintain a stable body temperature through metabolism, which allows mammals to maintain a suitable temperature regardless of changes in the outside temperature. This feature allows mammals to survive in a variety of environments, including extreme environments such as polar regions and deserts.


4. Viviparity

Most mammals reproduce by giving birth to live young, which allows the embryo to receive more stable nutritional support in the mother's body and be more viable after birth. Some species, such as kangaroos and koalas, adopt marsupial parenting.


5. Diet

Mammals have a variety of diets, from herbivorous to carnivorous and omnivorous. Some species (such as bats) have even evolved to suck blood. Different diets allow mammals to find living space in a variety of ecological environments.


Summary: Mammals are the most advanced animals with the most perfect physiological functions. There are more than 4,000 existing mammals. Almost all mammals are warm-blooded. Feeding their offspring with breast milk is one of their most notable characteristics. Mammals include nearly 30 orders, including Monotremes, Carnivores, Primates, Perissodactyla, and Artiodactyla.

Carnivora Primates Rodents Chiroptera Shrews Ungulata Cetacea Lagomorpha Pholidota Proboscidea Monotremata
Eulemur macaco

Eulemur macaco

Eulemur macaco,Black Lemur

Features:White tufts that extend to the cheeks as you age

Black Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur macaco) is mainly found in the humid tropical rainforests of Madagascar, and some prefer to live in dry areas. They live in groups of 7-10, led by older females. They have a sense of territory and are aggressive. They mainly feed on fruits, pollen, and nectar. W...

Eulemur fulvus

Eulemur fulvus

Eulemur fulvus,Brown Lemur

Features:The muzzle and crown are usually dark, with a light patch above the eye, which is orange-red.

Brown Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur fulvus) is a medium-sized lemur.Brown Lemur is active at different times throughout the day and night. It lives in groups, but the groups are not fixed. Usually there are 3 to 12 individuals in a group, sometimes 9-12 together. Each individual smears urine on th...

Eulemur flavifrons

Eulemur flavifrons

Eulemur flavifrons,Blue-eyed Black Lemur

Features:Light blue eyes

Blue-eyed Black Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur flavifrons) is known as Blue-eyed Black Lemur in English. It was confirmed as an independent species in 2010.Blue-eyed Black Lemur was previously considered a subspecies of Black Lemur. All its scientific names used to be Eulemur macaco subspecies flav...

Eulemur coronatus

Eulemur coronatus

Eulemur coronatus,Crowned Lemur

Features:A crown-shaped head with prominent color on the brow line and sides of the eyes

Crowned Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur coronatus) is the smallest species in the genus.Crowned Lemurs live in groups, but the groups are not fixed. Usually the group is 5 to 15 individuals, sometimes 9-12 together. Each individual smears urine on its body for scent identification. Territories overl...

Eulemur collaris

Eulemur collaris

Eulemur collaris,Collared Brown Lemur

Features:The tail is longer than the body, the snout is fox-like, and the fur is brightly colored.

The Red-collared Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur collaris) is also known as Collared Brown Lemur in English. It is a medium-sized lemur.The Red-collared Lemur lives in small groups of 3 to 12, and a large group of up to 29 individuals has been found. Active at different times throughout the day and...

Eulemur cinereiceps

Eulemur cinereiceps

Eulemur cinereiceps,White-collared Brown Lemur,Brown lemur with white collar

Features:The male has a gray head, a darker face and crown, and orange-yellow, bean-like round eyes.

White-collared Brown Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur cinereiceps) is also known as White-collared Brown Lemur. It is active during the day or at night, eating insects, fruits, reeds, leaves, and occasionally birds. It lives alone or in family groups. It hibernates. Females reproduce in June and July...

Eulemur albocollaris

Eulemur albocollaris

Eulemur albocollaris,White-collared Lemur

Features:The face is slightly dark, with white hairs around the face

White-collared Lemur (scientific name: Eulemur albocollaris) is also known as White-collared Lemur. It was once a subspecies of brown lemur and was confirmed as an independent species in 2008.White-collared Lemur is active at different times throughout the day and night. It is gregarious, but the gr...

Eulemur albifrons

Eulemur albifrons

Eulemur albifrons,White-fronted Lemur,White-fronted lemur, White-fronted brown lemur

Features:The males have a distinctive ring of white hair around their faces, covering their forehead, crown, beard and throat.

The white-fronted lemur (scientific name: Eulemur albifrons) is a medium-sized lemur. It was once a subspecies of the brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) and was established as an independent species in 2001.White-headed lemurs are active at different times throughout the day and night. They live in groups...

Phaner furcifer

Phaner furcifer

Phaner furcifer

Features:Newly discovered lemur species

Phaner furcifer, scientific name, is a possible new lemur species, according to Conservation International. Little is known about the species, although Conservation International experts suspect it is likely endangered due to habitat loss.The forked-spotted mouse lemur feeds on the resin of temperat...

Mirza coquereli

Mirza coquereli

Mirza coquereli

Features:

The scientific name of Coquereli's dwarf lemur is Mirza coquereli. It is an animal that is active at night and lives low in trees. Male monkeys usually act alone, while female monkeys form a small group. They mainly feed on fruits, flowers, insects, etc.Listed in the World Conservation Union (IU...

Microcebus rufus

Microcebus rufus

Microcebus rufus

Features:

The scientific name of the rufous lemur is Microcebus rufus. It is omnivorous. Most of them prefer fruits, some prefer insects, and some feed mainly on resin.Listed in the "World Conservation Union" (IUCN) ver.: 2008 Red List of Primates - Low Concern (LC).Protect wild animals and stop eat...

Microcebus murinus

Microcebus murinus

Microcebus murinus

Features:Strong night vision and aggressive

Microcebus murinus, scientific name of dwarf lemur, is found in humid tropical rainforests, living in trees and groups, usually about 30 pairs living by streams or rivers. It mainly feeds on fruits and insects. It spends the day hiding in tree holes. In the evening, even if it wakes up, it will wait...

Microcebus griseorufus

Microcebus griseorufus

Microcebus griseorufus

Features:With alternating neutral skin colors

The specific habits of the red-gray dwarf lemur (scientific name: Microcebus griseorufus) are unknown.Listed in the 2014 Red List of Endangered Species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver3.1 - Least Concern (LC).Protect wild animals and stop eating game.Maintaining ecological balance is every...

Microcebus berthae

Microcebus berthae

Microcebus berthae.Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur

Features:Considered to be the smallest primate in the world

Berthe's dwarf lemur (scientific name: Microcebus berthae), also known as Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, has no subspecies.The Bailey's dwarf lemur is found in humid tropical rainforests, living in trees and in groups, usually in pairs by streams or rivers. It feeds mainly on fruits and in...

Cheirogaleus sibreei

Cheirogaleus sibreei

Cheirogaleus sibreei,Sibree's Dwarf Lemur

Features:Tail longer than body

Sibree's Dwarf Lemur (scientific name: Cheirogaleus sibreei) is active during the day or at night, eating insects, fruits, reeds, leaves, and occasionally birds. It lives alone or in family groups. It hibernates. The gestation period is 120-150 days, and it gives birth from September to November...

Cheirogaleus medius

Cheirogaleus medius

Cheirogaleus medius

Features:The tail is relatively thick

The fat-tailed mouse lemur, scientifically known as Cheirogaleus medius, is an omnivore that mainly eats flowers, fruits, plant leaves and small invertebrates. It is a nocturnal animal and usually comes out to forage at night.Listed in the "World Conservation Union" (IUCN) ver.: 2008 Red L...

Cheirogaleus major

Cheirogaleus major

Cheirogaleus major,Mouse lemur

Features:It is the smallest species of primitive monkeys.

Mouse lemurs (scientific name: Cheirogaleus major) are arboreal animals.Mouse lemurs are solitary nocturnal monkeys that sleep in groups in tree holes or leaves during the day. Several female monkeys often sleep in the same nest, sometimes up to 15, while male monkeys live alone or with their spouse...

Cheirogaleus crossleyi

Cheirogaleus crossleyi

Cheirogaleus crossleyi,Clarissa

Features:The eyes are black, and the inside of the ears are also black.

The habits of the Crossley's mouse lemur (scientific name: Cheirogaleus crossleyi) are unknown.Listed in the 2016 Red List of Threatened Species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver 3.1 - Data Deficient (DD).Protect wild animals and stop eating game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyo...

Allocebus trichoti

Allocebus trichoti

Allocebus trichoti

Features:Small in size, but with a very long tail

The hairy-eared mouse lemur (scientific name Allocebus trichoti') is a lemur native to northeastern Madagascar. It is the only species in the genus Allocebus. This animal is seriously endangered, with only about 100-1000 individuals left.The hairy-eared mouse lemur is a nocturnal animal that liv...

Zalophus japonicus

Zalophus japonicus

Zalophus japonicus

Features:Larger than the California sea lion, extinct

Japanese sea lion, Zalophus japonicus (Peters, 1866), is an extinct species of sea lion in the genus Zalophus of the family Eurasidae. Before 2003, Japanese sea lions were considered a subspecies of the California sea lion, but later it was pointed out that Japanese sea lions and California sea lion...

Zalophus californianus

Zalophus californianus

Zalophus californianus,Californian Sea Lion

Features:Males have an enlarged mane around their necks, usually with white fur on top and dark brown on the back.

Californian Sea Lion (scientific name: Zalophus californianus), foreign name California Sea Lion, no subspecies.The Japanese sea lion (Zalophus japonicus) and the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus japonica) were once subspecies of the California sea lion, but were classified as separate species in 2007.T...