Portal:Mammals

The Mammals portal A mammal (from Latin mamma 'breast') is a vertebrate animal of the class Mammalia (/məˈmeɪli.ə/). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three middle ear bones. These characteristics distinguish them from reptiles and birds, from which their ancestors diverged in the Carboniferous Period over 300 million years ago. Around 6,400 extant species of mammals have been described and divided into 27 orders. The study of mammals is called mammalogy. The largest orders of mammals, by number of species, are the rodents, bats, and eulipotyphlans (including hedgehogs, moles and shrews). The next three are the primates (including humans, monkeys and lemurs), the even-toed ungulates (including pigs, camels, and whales), and the Carnivora (including cats, dogs, and seals). Mammals are the only living members of Synapsida; this clade, together with Sauropsida (reptiles and birds), constitutes the larger Amniota clade. Early synapsids are referred to as "pelycosaurs." The more advanced therapsids became dominant during the Guadalupian. Mammals originated from cynodonts, an advanced group of therapsids, during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic. Mammals achieved their modern diversity in the Paleogene and Neogene periods of the Cenozoic era, after the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, and have been the dominant terrestrial animal group from 66 million years ago to the present. The basic mammalian body type is quadrupedal, with most mammals using four limbs for terrestrial locomotion; but in some, the limbs are adapted for life at sea, in the air, in trees or underground. The bipeds have adapted to move using only the two lower limbs, while the rear limbs of cetaceans and the sea cows are mere internal vestiges. Mammals range in size from the 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in) bumblebee bat to the 30 metres (98 ft) blue whale—possibly the largest animal to have ever lived. Maximum lifespan varies from two years for the shrew to 211 years for the bowhead whale. All modern mammals give birth to live young, except the five species of monotremes, which lay eggs. The most species-rich group is the viviparous placental mammals, so named for the temporary organ (placenta) used by offspring to draw nutrition from the mother during gestation. Most mammals are intelligent, with some possessing large brains, self-awareness, and tool use. Mammals can communicate and vocalise in several ways, including the production of ultrasound, scent marking, alarm signals, singing, echolocation; and, in the case of humans, complex language. Mammals can organise themselves into fission–fusion societies, harems, and hierarchies—but can also be solitary and territorial. Most mammals are polygynous, but some can be monogamous or polyandrous. Domestication of many types of mammals by humans played a major role in the Neolithic Revolution, and resulted in farming replacing hunting and gathering as the primary source of food for humans. This led to a major restructuring of human societies from nomadic to sedentary, with more co-operation among larger and larger groups, and ultimately the development of the first civilisations. Domesticated mammals provided, and continue to provide, power for transport and agriculture, as well as food (meat and dairy products), fur, and leather. Mammals are also hunted and raced for sport, kept as pets and working animals of various types, and are used as model organisms in science. Mammals have been depicted in art since Paleolithic times, and appear in literature, film, mythology, and religion. Decline in numbers and extinction of many mammals is primarily driven by human poaching and habitat destruction, primarily deforestation. (Full article...) Selected article The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (30 to 100 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter is capable of living exclusively in the ocean. The sea otter inhabits nearshore environments where it can quickly dive to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly upon marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its foraging and eating habits are noteworthy in several respects. First, its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems. Finally, its diet includes prey species that are also valued by humans as food, leading to conflicts between sea otters and fisheries. Did you know? ....that Caracal (pictured) is very powerful for its size and has even been known to bring down a full grown adult Gazelle? ...that Snuppy the Afghan Hound is the world's first cloned dog? ...the male narwhal's tusk can be up to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 10 kilograms? ...the Voyager Golden Record carried into space whale songs, among other sounds? ...that 217 Dalmatians were used in the filming of 101 Dalmatians? ...that Scarlett the cat is a former stray cat whose efforts to save her kittens from a fire, at serious harm to herself, attracted worldwide media attention and has been related in a number of nonfiction books? ...that Dr. Johnson's cat Hodge has his own statue in Gough Square, London? Related portals Selected images Prairie dog Photo credit: Aaron Siirila A black-tailed prairie dog at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., looks out from a system of burrows, characteristically scanning the horizon. On average, these rodents grow to between 12 and 16 inches (30 and 40 cm) long, including their short tails. Yak Photograph: Dennis Jarvis A domesticated yak at Yamdrok Lake in Tibet. The animals are important to Tibetan culture, and have been kept for thousands of years. The yaks are a method of transportation and serve as beasts of burden. Their feces are a source of fuel, and their milk can be used for butter, which is then made into sculptures or consumed. Eastern bettong Photo: JJ Harrison The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) is a marsupial whose natural range includes south-eastern Australia (where it has been extirpated) and the eastern part of Tasmania. Sometimes referred to as a "rat-kangaroo", it is relatively small, rarely exceeding 2 kg (4.4 lb), but will travel up to 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from its nest to find food. Indian palm squirrel Photograph: Muhammad Mahdi Karim An Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) photographed in Bangalore, India. In India these squirrels are associated with the Hindu deity Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, and as such are not to be harmed. However, in Western Australia they are considered pests and at times targeted for eradication. Charolais bull Photograph: The Photographer A feral Charolais bull in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, Venezuela. This breed of taurine beef cattle comes from the Charolais area in eastern France. Domestic Charolais are raised for meat, and may be crossed with other breeds, including Angus and Hereford cattle. Olive baboon with juvenile Photograph: Charles J. Sharp An adult and a juvenile olive baboon (Papio anubis) at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. The most wide-ranging of all baboons, the olive baboon inhabits savannas, steppes, and forests in 25 countries throughout Africa. This highly adaptable species is omnivorous, feeding on a large variety of plants, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. Tabby cat Photo: Joaquim Alves Gaspar A tabby is any cat that has a distinctive coat that features stripes, dots, lines or swirling patterns, usually together with a mark resembling an "M" on its forehead. Tabbies are not a cat breed, but a coat pattern found in many breeds of cat, as well as among the general mixed-breed population. The tabby pattern may be related to the coloration of the domestic cat's direct ancestor, the African Wildcat, which (along with the European Wildcat and Asiatic Wildcat) has a similar coloration. There are four genetically distinct tabby patterns: mackerel (shown here), classic, spotted, and ticked. Common wombat Photo: JJ Harrison The common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is one of three species of wombat. It is native to south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania, and grows to an average of 98 cm (39 in) long and a weight of 26 kg (57 lb). It is solitary and lives in an underground burrow. Cape ground squirrel Photograph credit: Hans Hillewaert The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is a medium-sized rodent native to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. They live in social groups of up to three adult females and several sub-adults. The species mainly inhabits arid or semi-arid areas, preferring velds and grasslands with compact soil, and can also be found in scrub, on floodplains and in agricultural areas. Males live independently, only joining groups when there is a female in estrus. Ever alert to danger, they can drive off predators such as snakes by engaging in mobbing behavior. This picture shows two Cape ground squirrels photographed in the Namib desert near Solitaire, Namibia. Yellow mongoose Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa The yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) is a small mammal averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length. Found in southern Africa, it lives in flat areas ranging from semi-desert scrubland to grasslands. This carnivorous species lives in colonies of up to 20 individuals. Olive baboon Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim The olive baboon (Papio anubis) is an Old World monkey found in 25 countries throughout Africa, making it the most widely ranging of all baboons. It is named for its coat, which, at a distance, is a shade of green-grey. At closer range, its coat is multi-colored, due to rings of yellow-brown and black on the hairs. It is omnivorous, finding nutrition in almost any environment, and able to adapt with different foraging tactics. Common Brushtail Possum Photo: JJ Harrison The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the largest possum species and is perhaps the most widespread mammal in Australia. It grows to about 32–58 cm (13–23 in) in length, with an additional 24–40 cm (9–16 in) for its prehensile tail (seen here hanging below the branch). It is mainly a folivore, but has been known to eat small mammals such as rats. It is common in cities, having adapted well to human habitation. Cat Photo credit: Chmouel Boudjnah The cat is a small feline carnivorous mammal that has been domesticated for several millennia. A male cat is usually called a tom cat, a female cat is called a queen. A young cat is called a kitten (as are baby rats, rabbits, hedgehogs and squirrels). Guinea baboon Photograph: William Warby A female and a juvenile guinea baboon (Papio papio) at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, England. This species is native to dry forests, gallery forests, and adjoining bush savannas in western Africa. This diurnal animal is primarily terrestrial, but sleeps in trees at night. More than 200 individuals may be in the same troop, which is limited in size by the number of suitable sleeping trees. Cheetah Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim A close-up view of a cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) cub. Unlike some other cats, the cheetah is born with its characteristic spots, as well as a downy underlying fur on their necks extending to mid-back, which gives the cub the appearance of the Honey Badger, to scare away potential aggressors. Despite this, up to 90% of cheetah cubs are killed by predators in the early weeks of life. Healthy adult cheetahs have few predators because of their speed. Scientific classification Kingdom→ Animalia   Phylum→ Chordata   Subphylum→ Vertebrata   Superclass→ Tetrapoda   (unranked)→ Amniota   Class→ Mammalia Subclasses and Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria * Member of a haplogroup and not any of its subclades. † Taxon is extinct. Topics Subcategories Category puzzle Select [►] to view subcategories Mammals Mammals by adaptation Mammals by classification Mammals by year of formal description Mammals by location Extinct mammals Individual mammals Lists of mammals Mammal anatomy Mammal behavior Mammal common names Mammal conservation Mammal ecology Evolution of mammals Mammal genetics Mammal health Mammalian hormones Mammals and humans Mammal images Mammal redirects Milk Mammal pest control Reproduction in mammals Songs about mammals Mammal taxa Ungulates Mammal stubs Quality content Featured articles Alcathoe bat Alpine ibex Ambondro mahabo Ambulocetus Baleen whale Bat Beaver Bharattherium Blue whale Bluebuck Bobcat Camas pocket gopher Canada lynx Catopsbaatar Columbian mammoth Cougar Cryptoprocta spelea Dermotherium Dire wolf Durrell's vontsira Elephant Elk Escalera's bat European hare Evolution of lemurs Ferugliotheriidae Ferugliotherium Flocke Fossa (animal) Giant anteater Giant eland Giant otter Giraffe Golden jackal Hartebeest Hippopotamus Homo antecessor Horseshoe bat Humpback whale Impala Jaguar Javan rhinoceros Knut (polar bear) Koala Lavanify Lion Livyatan Marcus Ward Lyon Jr. Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins Megabat Miniopterus aelleni Miniopterus griveaudi North Ronaldsay sheep Orca Paraceratherium Pennatomys Pinniped Pipistrellus raceyi Platypus Plesiorycteropus Polar bear Primate Pygmy hippopotamus Quagga Raccoon Red panda Right whale Rodent Sea mink Sea otter Sheep Short-beaked echidna Smilodon South Asian river dolphin Springbok Steller's sea cow Sumatran rhinoceros Tammar wallaby Tasmanian devil Taxonomy of lemurs Thylacine Tiger Transandinomys Triaenops menamena Wolf Woolly mammoth Zebra Featured lists List of cetaceans List of mammals of Florida List of afrosoricids List of artiodactyls List of bovids List of canids List of carnivorans List of cercopithecoids List of cervids List of cingulates List of crocidurines List of dasyuromorphs List of didelphimorphs List of diprotodonts List of erinaceids List of eulipotyphlans List of felids List of fruit bats List of herpestids List of hipposiderids List of hominoids List of lagomorphs List of leporids List of lorisoids List of macropodiformes List of macroscelids List of mammals of Korea List of mephitids List of miniopterids List of molossids List of mustelids List of myosoricines List of myotines List of ochotonids List of peramelemorphs List of perissodactyls List of phalangeriformes List of pilosans List of pinnipeds List of platyrrhines List of primates List of procyonids List of rhinolophids List of scandentians List of soricines List of suines List of talpids List of tarsiiformes List of ursids List of vespertilionines List of viverrids Featured topics Lagomorphs Mesozoic mammals of Madagascar Oryzomys Primates Transandinomys Voalavo Featured pictures File:003 Wild Alpine Ibex Sunset Creux du Van Mont Racine Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg File:07. Camel Profile, near Silverton, NSW, 07.07.2007.jpg File:035 Uganda kobs mating at Queen Elizabeth National Park Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg File:094 Wild female Alpine Ibex at Creux du Van Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg File:2010-kodiak-bear-1.jpg File:2012-bb-jackal-1.jpg File:Aepyceros melampus petersi female 8014.jpg File:African Bush Elephant.jpg File:African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) male with Oxpecker.jpg File:African elephant warning raised trunk.jpg File:Albino Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus.jpg File:Antarctic Sound-2016-Brown Bluff–Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) 04.jpg File:Antarctic Sound-2016-Brown Bluff–Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) 05.jpg File:Antidorcas marsupialis 2.jpg File:Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) female 3 crop.jpg File:Bison skull pile edit.jpg File:Blue Wildebeest, Ngorongoro.jpg File:Bos grunniens at Letdar on Annapurna Circuit.jpg File:Bos grunniens at Yundrok Yumtso Lake.jpg File:BrownSpiderMonkey (edit2).jpg File:CH cow 2.jpg File:California sea lion in La Jolla (70568).jpg File:Cattle tyrant (Machetornis rixosa) on Capybara.jpg File:Cervus canadensis nannodes at Tomales Point.jpg File:Charolais cattle, Sierra Nevada, Venezuela.jpg File:Cheetahs on the Edge (Director's Cut).ogv File:Chipmunk with stuffed cheeks in Prospect Park (05980).jpg File:Choloepus hoffmanni (Puerto Viejo, CR) crop.jpg File:Common seal (Phoca vitulina) 2.jpg File:Cow giving birth, in Laos (step by step).jpg File:Cynomys ludovicianus GNP 21.jpg File:Drymoreomys albimaculatus 002.jpg File:Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) Scottsdale.jpg File:Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) Mount Annan composite of 6.jpg File:Eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) fawn morph Esk Valley.jpg File:Endangered arctic - starving polar bear.jpg File:Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) female 1.jpg File:European bison (Bison bonasus) male Białowieza.jpg File:Felis silvestris silvestris.jpg File:Female impala.jpg File:Fighting impalas edit2.jpg File:Five-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus pennantii).jpg File:Galerella sanguinea Zoo Praha 2011-2.jpg File:Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) male.jpg File:Giraffa camelopardalis head (Profil).jpg File:Giraffe Mikumi National Park.jpg File:Haeckel Chiroptera.jpg File:Hippo pod edit.jpg File:Horse anatomy.svg File:Humpbackwhale singing.webm File:Impala mutualim with birds wide.jpg File:Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) 4.jpg File:Jaguar (Panthera onca palustris) male Three Brothers River 2.jpg File:Koala climbing tree.jpg File:Lama glama Laguna Colorada 2.jpg File:Lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus), Almuradiel, Ciudad Real, España, 2021-12-19, DD 07.jpg File:Lion (Panthera leo) male 6y.jpg File:LutraCanadensis fullres.jpg File:MC Drei-Finger-Faultier.jpg File:Macrocranion tupaiodon 01.jpg File:Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus Bruny.jpg File:Marmota monax UL 04.jpg File:Mother and baby sperm whale.jpg File:Mud Cow Racing - Pacu Jawi - West Sumatra, Indonesia.jpg File:New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) female with suckling pup Kangaroo Island.jpg File:Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) male.jpg File:Oryctolagus cuniculus Tasmania 2.jpg File:Panthera tigris tigris Tidoba 20150306.jpg File:Perameles gunni.jpg File:Plains Zebra Equus quagga.jpg File:Polynesian flying fox (Pteropus tonganus) in flight Taveuni.jpg File:Red Panda (24986761703).jpg File:Red Panda.JPG File:Red-tailed squirrel (Sciurus granatensis chrysuros) male Caldas.jpg File:Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus koba).jpg File:Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) 2.jpg File:Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) adult male.jpg File:Sea otter nursing02.jpg File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Ursa Major.jpg File:Sonoma chipmunk at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.jpg File:South-western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis) female.jpg File:Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).jpg File:The Monarch of the Glen, Edwin Landseer, 1851.png File:Thylogale billardierii.jpg File:Topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) female.jpg File:Tragelaphus strepsiceros ♂ (head).jpg File:Ugandan kobs (Kobus kob thomasi) female and calf.jpg File:Vombatus ursinus -Maria Island National Park.jpg File:Xerus inauris.jpg File:Zebra portrait.jpg Good articles Acrophyseter Addax African wild dog Alpine pika Amami rabbit Andrewsarchus Animal echolocation Anoplotherium Apeomyoides Ardipithecus ramidus Argentodites Arktocara Asian elephant Aurochs Australopithecus deyiremeda Australopithecus garhi Australopithecus sediba Azilestes Banteng Bare-tailed woolly opossum Bat virome Bay duiker Bear Beaver drop Big brown bat Billy (pygmy hippopotamus) Binky (polar bear) Black-footed cat Black-tailed jackrabbit Black wildebeest Blackbuck Blue duiker Blue wildebeest Bohor reedbuck Boreray sheep Bottlenose dolphin Bovidae Bramble Cay melomys Brown bear Brygmophyseter California sea lion Campbell's dwarf hamster Canidae Capybara Castorocauda Cat Catodontherium Cattle Cheetah Chororapithecus Christmas Island flying fox Cinnamon red bat Clouded leopard Common eland Common vampire bat Coyote Pigs in culture Dacrytherium Dark long-tongued bat Dibatag Dichodon (mammal) Dimetrodon Diplobune Diprotodon Doedicurus Dog Domestic rabbit Domestication of the sheep Dromedary Dryopithecus Dugong Dusky dolphin Dwarf dog-faced bat Dwarf sperm whale Egyptian fruit bat Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus Enhydriodon Equus (genus) Ethiopian hare Ethiopian highland hare European polecat Evolution of cetaceans False killer whale Ferret-legging Fin whale Fisher (animal) Fishing cat Flea Forrest's pika Four-horned antelope Fraternal fruit-eating bat Galulatherium Geoffroy's spider monkey Giant golden-crowned flying fox Giant panda Gigantopithecus Glover's pika Glyptodon Glyptotherium Goat Great flying fox Grévy's zebra Guano Hammer-headed bat Herdwick Herto Man Heuglin's gazelle Hipposideros besaoka Homo rudolfensis Homo ergaster Homo habilis Homo heidelbergensis Honduran white bat Horse Human Idaho pocket gopher Indian flying fox Indian rhinoceros Inyo shrew Isalo serotine Jacob sheep Jaguarundi Janjucetus Japanese serow Josephoartigasia Jungle cat Kenyanthropus Kitti's hog-nosed bat Klipspringer Kogia pusilla LACM 149371 Lagrivea Laomaki Large Black Least weasel Leopard Lesser kudu Little brown bat Malagasy hippopotamus Mammal Manavi long-fingered bat Marine mammal Marsh shrew Meerkat Megaherbivore Mesozoic mammals of Madagascar Microgale macpheei Miniopterus brachytragos Miniopterus mahafaliensis Miniopterus tao Miniopterus zapfei Mixtotherium Monk seal Mountain nyala Moupin pika Muskrat Nakalipithecus Narwhal Natal red rock hare Nilgai Nyala Ocelot Ocepeia Okapi Orcinus citoniensis Oribi Ortotherium Palaeotherium Panthera onca mesembrina Paranthropus Paranthropus aethiopicus Paranthropus boisei Paranthropus robustus Paratheria (mammals) Pig Pilot whale Plains zebra Porpoise Pteropus Pubal Pudu Pygmy three-toed sloth Quoll Rabbit Red fox Reigomys Rhinogradentia Rice's whale River dolphin Royal antelope Saadanius Sei whale Serval Setirostris Shetland sheep Sirenia Sitatunga Six-banded armadillo Smith's red rock hare Snow leopard Spectral bat Spotted hyena Stellaluna Stotting Straight-tusked elephant Sun bear Swift fox Tamaraw Thalassocnus Tiger quoll Trapalcotherium Triaenops goodmani Tricolored bat Tupaia miocenica Turkestan red pika UA 8699 Veratalpa Vietnam mouse-deer Walrus Waterbuck Whale White-lipped peccary Wildebeest William Windsor (goat) Winter white dwarf hamster Xiphodon Yarkand hare Yellow-bellied marmot Yunnan hare Zygophyseter Pallas's cat Sand cat Asiatic cheetah Scimitar oryx WikiProjects Biology Tree of Life Plants Arthropods Cephalopods Gastropods Fishes Amphibians and Reptiles Birds Mammals WikiProject Mammals Bats task force WikiProject Dogs WikiProject Dog breeds WikiProject Rodents WikiProject Cats WikiProject Equine WikiProject Horse breeds WikiProject Cetaceans WikiProject Primates WikiProject Monotremes and Marsupials Viruses A complete list of scientific WikiProjects can be found here. See also Wikispecies, a Wikimedia project dedicated to classification of biological species. Things to do Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Article requests : Missing mammal species articles – Create a new article Cleanup : Cleanup listing for WikiProject Mammals – Functional list of mammal articles that need improvements Photo : Mammal articles without images – Upload and/or add images to articles Stubs : Expand Stub-Class mammal articles External media Wilson & Reeders Mammal Species of the World – from Bucknell University Mammal Species of the World – from National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution Associated Wikimedia The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject: Commons Free media repository Wikibooks Free textbooks and manuals Wikidata Free knowledge base Wikinews Free-content news Wikiquote Collection of quotations Wikisource Free-content library Wikispecies Directory of species Wikiversity Free learning tools Wiktionary Dictionary and thesaurus Discover Wikipedia using portals List of all portals The arts portal Biography portal Current events portal Geography portal History portal Mathematics portal Science portal Society portal Technology portal Random portal WikiProject Portals