Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals known scientifically as Mammalia. They are characterized by several distinctive features:
- Mammals have mammary glands that produce milk to feed their young, which is a defining trait of the group.
- They possess hair or fur on their bodies, which helps with insulation and protection.
- Mammals are warm-blooded (endothermic), meaning they regulate their body temperature internally regardless of the environment.
- Their lower jaw is made up of a single bone that articulates uniquely with the skull.
- They have three middle ear bones that aid in hearing.
- A muscular diaphragm separates the chest cavity from the abdomen, assisting in breathing.
- Most mammals give birth to live young (viviparous), except for monotremes like the platypus and echidnas, which lay eggs.
- Mammals have a broad neocortex region in the brain, which is involved in higher-order brain functions.
Mammals include a wide variety of species such as rodents, bats, primates (including humans), carnivores, and marine mammals like whales and dolphins. They have adapted to live in diverse habitats worldwide, from deserts to polar regions
. In summary, mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates with hair, mammary glands for nursing their young, unique ear and jaw structures, and most bear live young, making them distinct from other animal groups like reptiles and birds
