Mammals
Mammals
Mammals have evolved from reptiles, taking the niches of species the died off at the end of the Age of dinosaurs.
Learning Objective: List the basic characteristics of animals, including the specific characteristics that distinguish worms from other animal species.
Mammals are the most studied of all animals, not only because we are mammals, but also because of their role in our food supply and as our companion animals.
Mammals have already appeared repeatedly in various course guides; this section provides a brief organizing structure for your mammalian knowledge.
This video provides an overview of mammalian characteristics.
Most people have never heard of Lystrosaurus, but this little almost-mammal survived in large numbers as dinosaurs went extinct.
Dimetrodon was a mammal-like reptile, not a direct ancestor of living mammals, but an interestng line of long-extinct animals.
Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs instead of bearing live young. The young then mature in a pouch, similar to marsupials, and like all mammals, drink milk.
Marsupial mammals, including the kangaroo, wallaby, koala, and opossum, typically carry their young in a pouch. The young are relatively undeveloped and need the extra protected growth period to survive.
Mammals are united by one primary characteristic: milk production. Milk is the primary source of nutrients before infants are able to digest other types of foods. This leads to extra development time after birth, and in humans, this includes massive development of brain size.
The next section ties genetics to mammals and generations of care with pedigree analysis.
Check your knowledge – Mammals
Review your notes. Can you list the characteristics of mammalian species? If so, move forward to the next page.
Learning Objective:
List the characteristics of mammalian species, including evolutionary origins, structural features, representative Orders, and relationship to humans.
Go back to the Parental Care Page
Go forward to the Pedigrees Page
Animal Care Contents
Complete all five of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your media piece.
This Module
6: Why is it here now?
This Guide
6C Animal Care
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6C: Quiz & Media
