mammal characteristics
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MAMMAL CHARACTERISTICS. BY: ARIANA MEJIA. What is a Mammal?. Mammals are endotherms Able to live in almost every possible environment on earth. Ex: polar bears of the artic, tigers in tropical jungles, and dolphins that roam the atlantic ocean. Mammals have hair. Only mammals have hair - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
MAMMAL CHARACTERISTICS
BY: ARIANA MEJIA
What is a Mammal? Mammals are endotherms Able to live in almost every possible
environment on earth. Ex: polar bears of the artic, tigers in
tropical jungles, and dolphins that roam the atlantic ocean.
Mammals have hair Only mammals have hair Hair made out of keratin Thought to have evolved from scales Hair provides insulation, waterproofing and
keeps in body heat. Mammals cool off by sweating Sweating releases water from lungs Sweat glands regulate body temp by sweating Hair can serve as protection(porcupine),
camouflage, or can signal danger to other members of their herd. (pronghorn tail)
Mammals nurse their youngMammals have several kinds of glands that
produce saliva, sweat, digestive enzymes, and hormones
Mammals feed their young from mammary glands
A mammary gland secretes milkMammals nurse their young until they are
mature enough to find food
Respiration and Circulation
Mammals need a high level of energy for heating and cooling their bodies
Energy level is sustained when large amounts of oxygen enter the body and reach all of the cells.
Mammals accomplish this by using a diaphragmA diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that is located
beneath the lungs.It separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavityMammals have four chambered heartsOxygenated blood is separated from deoxygenated
blood.
Mammals have different types of teeth
Mammals have different kinds of teeth It depends on what type of food they eat The pointed incisors of moles grasp and
hold small prey Chisel like incisors of beavers are for
gnawing A lion’s teeth puncture and tear the flesh of
its prey. Premolars and molars are used for slicing,
crushing, and grinding.
MAMMALS HAVE MODIFIED LIMBS Mammal limbs are for a variety of
methods of food gathering Primates use their thumbs to grasp objects In moles, the front limbs are powerful and
short, with large claws Bats have elongated finger bones that
support the flight membranes Limbs help animals get food and help
them not become food for other animals
One reason why mammals are successful is because they guard their young and teach their young survival skills.
Mammals accomplish complex behaviors, such as learning and remembering what they learned.
Primates are the most intelligent animalsChimpanzees can use tools, machines, and
sign language to communicate with humansMammals have complex nervous systems and
highly developed brains.
Mammals can learn