Describe the general characteristics of mammals.

Mammals:

The word ‘mamma’ means ‘breast’. They are the most highly evolved and successful animals.

Characteristics:

1. The body is divided into head, neck, trunk, and tail.
2. They also possess movable eyelids.
3. The hairs and the subcutaneous fat form an insulating layer to prevent heat loss.
4. The cutaneous glands, sweat glands, scent glands, and sebaceous glands are also present.
5. The females have mammary glands for the production of milk to nourish their young.
6. Mammals are warm-blooded animals with four-chambered hearts.
7. Two pairs of pentadactyl limbs are present.
8. Teeth are thecodont and are heterodont.
9. Most mammals produce live young ones and hence, are viviparous.
10. However, few of them like platypus and the echidna lay eggs and kangaroos give birth to very poorly developed young ones.
11. Respiration takes place through the lungs.
12. Examples – whale, human, monkey, bat, rat, squirrel, rhinoceros, tiger, lion, camel, flying fox, ant-eater, kangaroo, hedge-hog, etc.