Mammals In Focus

Welcome to the Mammal section of In Focus. A mammal is a vertebrate animal belonging to the class Mammalia, characterized by milk-producing mammary glands, a broad neocortex, fur or hair, and three middle ear bones. Mammals diverged from reptiles and birds over 300 million years ago, with around 6,640 species currently described across 27 orders, including rodents, bats, primates, and carnivores.

They are the only living members of Synapsida and originated from cynodonts during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic. They became the dominant terrestrial animals after the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Most are quadrupedal, though some have adapted to various environments, such as aquatic or arboreal habitats.

Modern mammals predominantly give birth to live young, except for monotremes, which lay eggs. They exhibit intelligence, social structures, and diverse means of communication. Domestication of mammals has significantly influenced human societies, leading to agriculture and the development of civilizations. However, many mammals face decline and extinction due to human activities like poaching and habitat destruction.