The basic mammalian body type is
quadruped, and most mammals use their four extremities for
terrestrial locomotion; but in some, the extremities are adapted for
life at sea, in
the air,
in trees,
underground, or
on two legs. Mammals range in size from the 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in)
bumblebee bat to the 30 m (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 are egg-laying mammals. The most species-rich group of mammals, the
infraclass called
placentals, have a
placenta, which enables the feeding of the fetus during
gestation.
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
civilizations. 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...)
The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an amphibious, mammalian
carnivore native to
South America. About the length of an adult human being, it is the longest member of the
mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators. Unusually for a mustelid, the Giant Otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centred around a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial and aggression has been observed between groups. The Giant Otter is exclusively
active during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance. The Giant Otter ranges across north-central South America, although its distribution has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous. The species was listed as
endangered in 1999 and population estimates are typically below 5,000 in the wild.
The Guianas are the last real stronghold for the species. Decades of
poaching for its velvety pelt, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, decimated population numbers. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. The Giant Otter is also rare in captivity: as of 2003, only 60 animals were held.
...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?
Two
olive baboons (Papio anubis) engaged in social grooming, an activity that
social animals (including humans) engage in to clean or maintain one another's body or appearance. Grooming also reinforces
social structures, family links, and builds
relationships. It has been best studied among
primates, but insects, birds, fish, and other mammals are known to engage in it as well.
The Tasmanian Pademelon is the only species of
pademelonendemic to Tasmania. Pademelons are the smallest of the
macropods, which also includes
kangaroos and
wallabies. Males reach around 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, 1–1.2 m (3.3–3.9 ft) in height, and are considerably larger than the females, which average 3.9 kg (8.6 lb).
The Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a widespread, medium-sized,
omnivorousmammal of
North America. It has black facial colorings around the eyes, and has a bushy tail with light and dark alternating rings. The coat is a mixture of gray, brown, and black fur. The characteristic eye colorings make the animal look like it is wearing a "bandit's mask," which has enhanced the animal's reputation for mischief, vandalism, and thievery.
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.
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-desertscrubland to
grasslands. This carnivorous species lives in colonies of up to 20 individuals.
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.
The Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is a
tamarin native to the
Amazon Basin and neighboring parts of
South America. It was allegedly named for its similarity to
William II, the last
German Emperor. The name was first intended as a joke, but has become the official scientific name.
The Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) is a
squirrel native to
India and
Sri Lanka. It is relatively small, about the size of a
rat, with three white stripes on its back from head to tail. According to
Hindu legend,
Lord Rama was so pleased with a squirrel's help in the construction of a bridge at
Rameswaram that he stroked the squirrel's back and his fingers left their mark in the form of stripes.
The steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) is a species of small
antelope, generally standing 45–60 centimeters (16–24 inches) at the shoulder, commonly found in Africa. They live in a variety of habitats, from semi-desert to open woodland and thickets, and feed on low-level vegetation and roots. These common animals are typically solitary, except during mating season.
The skull of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), a large African bovine. It has a long but stocky body and short but thickset legs, resulting in a relatively short standing height. The adult bull’s horns, as shown here, have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield known as a "boss".
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