Animals that belong to the class mammalia are referred to as

mammals. Mammals are one of the most evolved species in the

animal kingdom categorized under vertebrata. They are
characterized by the presence of mammary glands, which
produce milk for feeding their young, as well as hair or fur.
 The word "mammal" comes from the
scientific name mammalia, coined by Carl
Linnaeus in 1758, derived from the Latin
word mamma which means teat or pap.
It is estimated that there are more than 5,500 living mammal
species. Mammals are incredibly diverse and can be found in every
major habitat worldwide – from oceans, deserts and polar regions to
rainforests, rivers, and even urban areas. It has been said that
mammals have a wider distribution and are more adaptable than
any other single class of animals, with the exception of certain less-
complex forms such as arachnids and insects. This versatility in
exploiting Earth is attributed in large part to the ability of mammals to
regulate their body temperatures and internal environment both in
excessive heat and severe cold.
 GENERAL
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
MAMMALS
The following are a list of distinct characteristics of mammals that separates them
from other classes:

Mammals are warm-blooded animals, meaning they can regulate their

body temperature internally. This allows them to thrive in a wide range
of environments.

The basic mammalian body type is quadruped, and most mammals use
their four extremities for terrestrial locomotion; but in some, the
extremities are adapted for life at sea, in the air, in trees, underground, or
on two legs.
 They have mammary glands that help them produce milk to feed their
younger ones to nourish them. This characteristic is what sets them
apart among other classes.

Most mammals are viviparous, who give birth to live young, as opposed
to laying eggs. However, there are exceptions, such as monotremes
(e.g., platypus, echidna), which lay eggs.

Presence of region of the brain known as neocortex. The brain is well

developed divided into cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla. Mammals
generally have relatively large brains compared to other animals, and they
often exhibit complex behaviors and social structures.
Their skin possesses oil glands (sebaceous glands) and sweat glands
(sudoriferous glands).

The fur of hair throughout the body which helps animals adapt to their
environment. This fur serves various purposes, including insulation,
camouflage, and protection.
 They are heterodonts, meaning they possess different types of teeth.

The skull is dicondylic, the presence of inter-parietal and occipital bones that
form the cranium or the skull cavity for housing the brain.
Mammals also possess cervical vertebrae, making them vertebrates.

Good sense of hearing as mammals are aided with 3 middle ear bones

The mammals respire through lungs.

Exhibit one of the most advanced forms of diaphragms.

Mammals have a four-chambered heart,
which helps efficiently pump oxygenated
blood throughout their bodies.

Presence of single-boned lower jaws.

Mammals exhibit a diverse range of dietary habits, including herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores, and even insectivores.

Many mammals exhibit complex parental care behaviors, including nursing,

grooming, and teaching their young survival skills.
Mammals are classified into three subgroups according to reproduction,
namely:

EUTHERIA PROTOTHERIA METATHERIA

EUTHERIA
(placental mammals)

The mammal gives birth to a live young. The

young is nurtured within the body of the
mother by the placenta, which allows nutrients
to pass from the blood of the mother almost
directly into the blood of the young.

With 19 orders, eutheria is considered to be the

largest subclass of mammals.
PROTOTHERIA
(monotremes)

Prototherian mammals are called

unfinished mammals due to the
absence of the external pinnae and
the testes are abdominal. This
subclass is oviparous, which means
they are egg-laying animals.
Monotremata is the sole order of this
subclass.
METATHERIA
(marsupials)
Mammals that carry their young in an
abdominal pouch during their early
development are called marsupials. Soon
after the marsupial ovum, or egg, is
fertilized, the young are born in a
premature state and crawl into the
mother's pouch. There, nursing on milk
from their mother's nipples, they complete
their development. There are 7 orders of
the metatherian subclass.
THE KANGAROO
 MACROPODIDAE
Eastern Grey Kangaroo

red kangaroo

Western Grey Kangaroo

 Key Physical Characteristics:
Hind Limbs: These hind limbs are specialized for
hopping and jumping, allowing kangaroos to cover
vast distances efficiently. The strong muscles in their
hind legs act like springs, propelling them forward
with speed and agility.

Forelimbs: The forelimbs provide support and

balance. They are used during grasping objects
and self-grooming. Their forelimbs are also used
during confrontation with rivals or predators.
Their forelimbs may assist in paddling or moving
through shallow water.
 Key Physical Characteristics:
Tail: The tail serves as a balancing organ, helping
kangaroos maintain stability while hopping and
making sharp turns. It also provides additional
support and leverage during locomotion.

Pouch: The pouch is where female kangaroos

carry and nurse their young joeys. It provides a
safe and protected environment for the
developing young, allowing them to continue
growing and developing after birth.
 Key Physical Characteristics:
Large Padded Feet: These feet are well-adapted for
hopping and provide stability and support during
locomotion. The strong claws help kangaroos grip
the ground while hopping and can be used for
grooming and self-defense.

Thick Fur: The fur provides insulation and

helps regulate body temperature in changing
environmental conditions. It also offers
camouflage, blending in with the landscape to
avoid predators or potential threats.
 Key Physical Characteristics:
Head and Ears: The sensitive muzzle and whiskers
help kangaroos navigate their surroundings and
locate food. Their large ears provide excellent
hearing, allowing them to detect sounds from a
distance and be alert to potential danger.

Dentition: Their teeth are adapted for cropping

vegetation and grinding plant material, supporting
their primarily herbivorous diet. Different tooth
structures help kangaroos efficiently process the
tough plant matter they consume.
 Kangaroo habitat resides in a number of habitats in Tasmania, Australia, and nearby islands, such as
trees, plains, woodlands, and savannas. Kangaroos inhabit separate niches in the ecosystem, based on
the species.
Kangaroos are social animals, often forming groups known as mobs or troops.
 DIET AND BEHAVIOR
Kangaroos are observed to be herbivores and different kinds of
plants such as shrubs, grasses, and flowers are primarily part of
their diet
Kangaroos have an irregular activity rhythm;
generally, they are active at night and during
periods of low light, but it is quite possible to find
them out in the open in bright sunlight

They can go without drinking water for a long time, similar to

camels, because of their relative inactivity in the daytime when
it is warmer. As their diet contains plants, the water content
present in the plants that they consume will largely fulfill their
water needs.
 REPRODUCTION
Courtship and Mating: Male
kangaroos, known as bucks or
boomers, compete for the attention
of females, known as does or
flyers. This competition often
involves displays of strength, such
as boxing matches where males
stand on their hind legs and kick
with their powerful legs. Once a
male successfully courts a female,
mating occurs.
 Suspended Pregnancy/Embryonic Diapause: This
phenomenon allows the female to mate and conceive a
fertilized egg, but the development of the embryo is
temporarily halted at an early stage. The embryo remains
in a state of dormancy, suspended in a state of arrested
development, until external conditions become favorable
for continued growth and birth.
Type of Reproduction: Kangaroos
reproduce through sexual
reproduction. But unlike other
mammal embryos, the developing
kangaroo does not embed itself in a
placenta for long-term nourishment.
Instead, the embryo lives off the
contents of the yolk sac of the egg
and uses up this source of food in
about a month.
Reproduction System: The
reproductive system of the
female kangaroo consists of two
ovaries, two uteri, two lateral
vaginae, and a median vaginal
canal.
 THE LIFE CYCLE OF A KANGAROO
At birth, the tiny, hairless joeys are blind and only a few centimeters in length,
resembling embryos. The newborn joey instinctively crawls into the mother's
pouch, where it attaches to a teat and continues its development. In order for
it to crawl into its mother’s pouch, the mother will lick a path on her fur for the
baby to follow.
 THE LIFE CYCLE OF A KANGAROO
Inside the mother's pouch, the joey completes its growth and development. It
continues to nurse, grow, and mature in the safety and warmth of the pouch
around 6-8 months. The joey's eyes and ears start to develop, and it gradually
gains strength and coordination during this stage.
 THE LIFE CYCLE OF A KANGAROO
After this time, the joey starts to venture outside the pouch, returning
periodically to nurse and seek comfort. The joey becomes more independent
and explores its surroundings under the watchful eye of the mother.
 THE LIFE CYCLE OF A KANGAROO
As the joey grows older, it becomes less reliant on its mother's milk and
gradually transitions to a diet of solid food, including grasses and vegetation.
Weaning usually occurs when the joey is around 12-18 months old, depending
on the kangaroo species.
The young kangaroo, now referred to as a juvenile or sub-adult, continues
to develop and refine its skills for survival. As the kangaroo matures, it
becomes more adept at foraging for food, avoiding predators, and
navigating its environment. At this stage the kangaroo can feed itself, move
around fully on its own, and live a strong life.
 When both a male and a female kangaroo are fully grown, they are then
ready to mate. Kangaroos become sexually mature at just under two years
and are capable of giving birth from then on. Once mating season comes
around they will reproduce new baby kangaroos and the life cycle will
officially start again.
Thank you for listening!