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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.

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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 Eulipotyphla Ungulata Cetacea Lagoiformes Pholidota Proboscidea Monotremata
German Wirehaired Pointer

German Wirehaired Pointer

Deutsch Drahthaar,Deutscher Drahthaariger Vorstehhund,Drahthaar

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Saluki

Saluki

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:The average speed can reach 60 kilometers per hour, making it one of the fastest dogs

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Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound

Cú Faoil,Canis lupus familiaris

Features:The tallest dog in the world, the Irish national dog

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Bedlington Terriern

Bedlington Terriern

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Dog in sheep's clothing

The Bedlington Terrier originated in the 19th century and is native to the United Kingdom. Originally named Rosebell Terrier, it was mainly used to hunt hidden prey such as foxes, hares and badgers. From the late 18th century to the early 19th century, it was bred and bred by Whippet, Dandie Dinmont...

Dalmatian

Dalmatian

Dalmatinac, Dalmatiner

Features:Disneyland's most popular dog

The Dalmatian is an animal with a long history, and its unique spots are undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous symbols of dogs.Dalmatian is recognized as one of the most elegant breeds, with white and clear black spots, and can call people. According to ancient Greek sculptures and ancient Egyptia...

Pharaoh Hound

Pharaoh Hound

Cobot Feller, Harrier, Pharaoh Hound

Features:The Pharaoh Hound is the national animal of Malta and was traditionally used to hunt rabbits in the rocky terrain of the Maltese Islands.

Pharaoh Hound (English name: Pharaoh Hound): is a medium-sized dog. The Pharaoh Hound is the oldest and apparently the most honorable dog breed in history. The Pharaoh Hound guarded the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs with its beauty and elegance.Preserved animal bones indicate that hunting d...

Australian Silky Terrier

Australian Silky Terrier

Silky Terrier,Sydney Silky

Features:It has a small and light body, is agile and lively, and has typical terrier characteristics.

The Australian Silky Terrier originated in the 19th century and was produced in Sydney, Australia. At first, it only survived in Australia and India and was once called the "Sydney Silky". In the late 19th century, in order to make this dog have the best characteristics of both the Austral...

Terriers Group

Terriers Group

Cairn Terrier,Canis lupus familiaris

Features:It is said to be the oldest terrier

Terriers Group, which are short-haired small dogs, are very good at digging holes to help their owners hunt. Therefore, the name of the terrier comes from the Latin word "Terra", which means digging. Terriers are very good at digging holes. They are small in size and hunt small animals suc...

Newfoundland

Newfoundland

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Known as the "Saint Bernard of the Water", he is an expert in water rescue.

The Newfoundland dog was found in the Newfoundland region of northeastern Canada. Some people believe that the Newfoundland dog is a descendant of the Indian wild dog, while others believe that they are closely related to the Canadian Labrador Retriever. It is said that the ancestors have the bloodl...

Manchester Terrier

Manchester Terrier

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Once a famous "English gentleman dog"

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Briard

Briard

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Known as a "heart wrapped in fur"

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Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:A terrier that can hunt both on land and in water

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Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer

Munich Schnauzer,Munchener,Russian Bear Schnauzer

Features:The largest of the three Schnauzer breeds

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Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:One of the smallest terrier breeds, Yorkshire Terriers are playful and energetic dogs that often show separation anxiety when left alone, so some owners choose to keep two at the same time.

Yorkshire is named after Yorkshire in the northeast of England, so it is also called Yorkshire, Joseph's dog, and Joseph's orangutan. Yorkshire is petite, second only to Chihuahua in size. As early as the Victorian era, it was a fashionable pet, loved by men, women, old and young, and its po...

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:It is the largest member of the hunting dogs and is good at hunting animals, especially waterfowl.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a handsome, sturdily built sporting dog, highly intelligent, combining endurance and a bold character with an active, enthusiastic temperament. This breed is probably one of the oldest and most distinguished of the British spaniels.It is said that the term "Irish Wate...

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dog

Berner Sennenhund

Features:It is one of four Swiss mountain dogs native to Bern, Switzerland and the Swiss Alps. It originated from the Roman Mastiff.

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Weimaraner

Weimaraner

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:The new generation of dog influencers

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Brittany Hound

Brittany Hound

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Water walk enthusiasts

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English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel

Canis lupus familiaris

Features:Great skills in hunting woodcock

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Canis lupus familiaris

Canis lupus familiaris

German Shorthaired Pointer,Deutsch Kurzhaar

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Rough Collie

Rough Collie

Canis lupus familiaris

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