Mammals By: Paulo Barrios, Jasmine Gillis, Christine Ngo, Noor Toma

Mammals Mammals are endothermic vertebrates. (Animals that have a backbone) Mammals have hair and produce milk for feed their young. Some mammals are bears, tigers, and lions. Mammals have skin that contains many types of glands. One type of gland is the mammary glands, which produces milk to feed their young. Oil glands produce oil, which moisturizes the hair and skin. Sweat glands removes waste and helps keep mammals cool.

Types of Mammals Carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores all depend on the type of teeth the mammal has. Herbivores eat only plants and have teeth that are called molars, they are very large. An example is a horse. Carnivores eat only meat. This is because they have canines and strong jaw muscles that are able to break down meat. An example is a tiger. Omnivores eat meat and plants. They have canines that aren't as sharp as a carnivore's canine. They also have molars. An example is a bear.

Body Systems Body systems of mammals adapt to their activities and enable them to survive in environments. Mammals have hearts that pump blood that is filled with oxygen and this blood is distributed throughout the whole body in blood vessels. Mammals have a nervous system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Different types have types of digestive systems.

Classification of Mammals Mammals are classified into two groups that are based on how they develop. The two groups are, monotremes and marsupials.

Monotremes Mammals that lay eyes with leathery shells are called monotremes. An example of this kind of mammal is a duck- billed platypus. Monotreme's mammary glands do not have nipples.

Marsupials Many mammals that are classified as marsupials live in Australia, New Guinea, or South America. Mammals that give birth to immature young that usually crawl into an external pouch on the female's abdomen are called marsupials. An example of this kind of mammal is a kangaroo. Whether an immature marsupial is in a pouch or not, it instinctively crawls to a nipple.

Why Mammals are Crucial Carnivores control populations of other animals. Bats contribute to the helping of pollinating flowers and control of insects. Many other animals pick up seeds and distribute them with the help of their fur.

Placentals Placentals are embryos completely develop inside a female's uterus. The gestation period is the time in which the embryo develops in the female's uterus. Placentals got it's name from the placenta. Placenta is an organ that develops from tissues of the embryo and tissues that line the inside of the uterus. The umbilical cord is made out of several blood vessels , this cord transport food and oxygen to the embryo.

All mammals reproduce sexually. All the young babies learn skills from their parents.