Mammalia (mammals)

 Mammalia (mammals – 5,877species)

The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary glands, which in females produce milk for the nourishment of young; the presence of hair or fur; and which have endothermic or “warm blooded” bodies.

The brain regulates endothermic and circulatory systems, including a four-chambered heart. There are currently 1260 genera, 156 families, 29 orders, and exactly 5877 species of described mammal, all in a single class. Using Groves and Grubbs’ Taxonomy of Ungulates  for the family Bovidae within Artiodactyla.

The genus Bison is included within Bos in this classification and the genera Nyala (nyala), Strepsiceros (greater kudu), and Ammelaphus (lesser kudu) are all distinct genera from Tragelaphus (sitatunga, bushbuck, gedemsa or mountain nyala, and the bongo), this is supported by mtDNA.

Many other recent advancements in mammal taxonomy have resulted in the description of new genera (Waiomys) and some genera have been combined (Uncia combined with Panthera), and other have been split (Niumbaha split from Glauconycteris).

Mammals:

    • Give birth to their young and feed them with milk.

    • Have hair on at least part of their body.

    • Have four limbs with digits ending in claws, nails, or hooves (except whales and dolphins).
    • Breathe with lungs.
    • Are warm-blooded.

Pronghorn (Antelopes)

Pronghorns, commonly called Antelope in the american west, are true American natives, found nowhere else in the world. They have roamed the plains and deserts of North America for at least the last million years in substantially the same form. Pronghorn (Antelopes) »»

Kodiak bear

Kodiak Bears, also known as the alaskan brown bear, have existed on Kodiak Island in Alaska  for 12,000 years. With their stream-lined noses and larger bone structure, they are the world’s largest bear, comparable in size to polar bears. Kodiak bear »»

Musk Oxen,Ovibos moschatus

Musk oxen, Ovibos moschatus, are native to the Arctic areas of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. The Alaska population was wiped out in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, but muskoxen have since been reintroduced to Alaska. Musk Oxen,Ovibos moschatus »»

Echidnas are one of only two mammals in the Monotreme animal classification.

Echidnas

What has the beak of a bird, the spines of a hedgehog, the gait of a reptile, the pouch of a marsupial, and the lifespan of an elephant? If you answered an echidna, you are correct! Echidnas »»

Antelope conservation status

To survive, antelopes rely on their ability to spot danger and to make a rapid escape. This defense system enables them to evade most wildlife predators, but it offers only partial protection from human hunters interested in antelope hide, horn, or meat, and no protection at all from changes to their habitat.

Antelope conservation status »»

Types of antelope

Although antelopes all belong to the cattle family (family Bovidae), the term antelope is an informal one, and does not have any precise scientific meaning. Types of antelope »»

Antelope Behaviour

Compared to some mammals, such as carnivores (meat-eaters) and primates (apes, monkeys, and humans), antelopes are not noted for high intelligence.

Antelope Behaviour »»

Antelope Size and Diversity

Antelopes differ from one another almost as much as they differ from other members of the cattle, goat, and sheep family. Size is one of the most striking and variable features of antelopes: The common eland towers over most breeds of domestic cattle and can be 300 times heavier than the royal antelope. Antelope Size and Diversity »»

Antelope Range and Habitat

Antelope is a common name applied to a diverse group of hollow-horned mammals that belong to the same family as cattle, goats, and sheep. About 100 species of antelopes live in Africa and Asia, including some of the world’s fastest and most elegant hoofed mammals, as well as some of the most endangered. Antelope Range and Habitat »»

Cetacean Taxonomy – Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales

KEYWORDS: dolphin taxonomy whale taxonomy porpoise taxonomy dolphin species whale species porpoise species baleen whales toothed whales

The terms “whales”, “dolphins”, and “porpoises”, are not scientific and have been used interchangeably throughout history. Usually the term “whale” is used to describe a large cetacean whereas smaller cetaceans are usually called dolphins or popoises. Porpoises however, should refer only to the six species belonging to the family Phocoenidae. To make matters worse, there is also a dolphin fish, better known as mahi-mahi or dorado. Cetacean Taxonomy – Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales »»

Otter Species List

KEYWORDS: otter species list types of otter species north american river otter eurasian otter cape clawless otter oriental small clawed otter sea otter sea cat neotropican otter spotted neck otter giant otter southern river otter american river otter smooth coated otter hairy nosed otter congo otter Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) Oriental Small Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea) Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sea Cat (Lutra felina) Neotropican Otter (Lontra longicaudis) Spotted Necked Otter (Lutra maculicollis) Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Smooth Coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata) Hairy Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) Congo Otter (Aonyx congica) otter species classification otter information otter facts animals related to otters

American River OtterOtter-like animals have inhabited the earth for the last 30 million years and over the years their carnivore bodies have undergone subtle changes to enable otters to exploit the rich acquatic environment.

Otters are members of the Mustelid family which includes badgers, polecats, martens, weasels, stoats and mink.

Find out more about the 13 species. Otter Species List »»