LIFE SCIENCE 10-7 What are mammals?

Pg 2
OBJ: Describe the characteristics of mammals.

III. Kinds of Mammals - there are over 4,600 species of mammals.

- the are sometimes grouped to how they give birth to
their young.
MONOTREME = mammals that lay eggs.
- only three kinds of animals in this group:
- duck-bill platypus / two types of spiny anteater
- the young develop in an egg surrounded by a
hard shell.
MARSUPIALS = mammal whose young develops in pouches.
- the young are born at a very early stage and then
crawl to a pouch, or pocket, on the belly of the
mother.
- kangaroos / koalas / opossums
PLACENTA = structure through which materials are exchanged
between the mother and developing embryo.
- this is the largest group of mammals.