By Elianne Chaami,
Have you ever wondered why some animals are called mammals? Well, they are called mammals because of their special features. Mammals are animals that are warm-blooded, have furs and give birth to their young ones alive.
Mammals exist in different types, according to their habitat. which are:
Terrestrial mammals: These are mammals that mainly live on land. They can be found in various habitats, including forests, grassland, deserts, and mountains. Some of the characteristics of terrestrial mammals are, they breathe air using lungs, they produce milk for their offspring, they regulate their body temperatures and have adaptations for walking, running or jumping on land. Examples of terrestrial mammals are humans, dogs, mice, lions, kangaroos and so many more.
Marine mammals: These are warm-blooded animals that live in the ocean and breath air. They belong to the order Cetacea. The characteristics of marine mammals are, they have streamlined bodies for swimming, they have flippers or wings for propulsion. They have adaptations for diving and holding breath. Some examples of marine mammals are whales, sea lions, elephant seals and so on.
Aerial mammals: These are mammals that are capable of flight. They are also known as flying mammals. There are quite a few animals in this group. The characteristics of aerial mammals are, they have wings, they have lightweight skeleton, Flexible skin membrane and advanced echolocation. Some examples of aerial mammals are fruit bats, flying squirrels, house bats and so many more.
Elianne is of The Penielville School, Abuja
