Download Mammalian Characteristics #1 Hair: Insulation, camouflage

Objectives: Describe how mammal hair and
teeth are both defining characteristics and
adaptations. 2) List the 3 mammal groups and
explain how they differ according to embryonic
development.
Mammalian Characteristics
#1 Hair: Insulation, camouflage, protection,
sensory, defense
#2 Diverse Teeth:
1) Molars: Grinding
2) Premolars: Grinding
3) Incisors: Biting and Cutting
4) Canines: Stabbing and Holding
Mammal’s teeth are specialized to fit the food it
eats.
Example: Coyote Sharp canines and molars for
grabbing slicing prey.
Example: Deer Canines and incisors are very
small, used primarily to nip off plant material.
Flattened premolars and molars are ideal for
grinding plant matter
#3 Endotherms: Produce more heat, but must eat
more food.
#4 Respiration: more active animals have a greater
number of smaller alveoli.
#5 4-chambered heart: Similar to birds
#6 Reproduction: sexual and internal
Mammals are thus named because the young are
nourished from milk produced by mammary glands.
The young also depend on their mothers for
protection, food, and shelter.
Mammal Groups
#1 Monotremes: Lay eggs
Examples: Duckbill platypuss and echidnas
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#2 Marsupials: Young are born days or a couple
of weeks after fertilization and travel to pouch
(marsupium) on the mother’s abdomen.
Examples: Opossum and kangaroo
#3 Placentals: Young develop in mother’s uterus
within a structure called a placenta which allows
nutrients and oxygen to pass to the baby from
the mother’s blood, while eliminating wastes.
Example: Look in a mirror
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