CLASS MAMMALIA

 

This class includes all warm blooded animals, such as you, me, cats, whales, platypuses and oppossums. In fact, these are just a few examples, as there are around 5000 species of mammals placed in 26 orders. [5]

 

Though the diversity between mammals in huge, there are three characteristics shared between mammals. The first characteristic is the possession of 3 middle ear bones: malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil, and stirrup), which transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to the inner ear. [5]

 

The second characteristic is Mammalian hair, present in all mammals at some point in their development. These serve for insulation, color patterning, and aiding in the sense of touch. [5]

 

Lastly, all female mammals produce milk from their mammary glands in order to nourish newborn offspring. [5]

 

 

An example of a mammal is the Opossum:

 

It includes 103 or more species in 19 genera. The females, similarly to other marsupials (like the kangaroo!) have a pouch to carry their young. [26]

 

Did you know…?

 

1. Opossums are mostly immune to rabies, a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals, and also possess partial or total immunity to the venom produced by rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and other pit vipers. [27]

2.  

3. The opossum has opposable thumbs (or toes, because they are located on its rear feet), responsible for the opossum’s great climbing skills. We take opposable thumbs for granted, but in fact primates and opossums are the only mammals with opposable first toes. [27]

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5. The opossum has a beautiful smile, with an impressive 50 teeth. [27]