Mammals

 

Mammals are a class in the chordate phylum. Mammals are like other chordates in that they have backbones. Mammals have several distinct characteristics.

• They have hair on their bodies.
• They nurse their young.
• They have live birth rather than laying eggs,

 

There are several major groups of mammals. Below is a list of these groups and their links on this site:

 

 

System Type	Mammals System
Muscular-Skeletal	A mammal has an inner skeleton. It has developed muscles and generally have four limbs attached.
Digestion	A mammal has a developed digestive tract with mouth, teeth, stomach, intestines. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat meat and omnivores eat both.
Nervous	A mammal has a highly developed brain, nerves and sensory organs such as eyes, nose, mouth, ears and touch.
Circulation	A mammal has a four chambered heart, blood vessels and blood within their system.
Respiration	A mammal has lungs and breathes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide.
Reproduction	A mammal reproduces sexually with the female being fertilized by the male internally. Mammals have live birth and care for their young for quite a time after birth.
Excretion	A mammal gas kidneys and is covered with skin. The skin has hair. Mammals are warm blooded.
Symmetry	A mammal has bilateral symmetry.
Coloration	A mammal can be various shades of brown, black, tan, white.