Mammals, a diverse group of warm-blooded animals, belong to the vertebrate class and are characterized by the presence of hair, three middle ear bones, and the production of milk for their young. They encompass a wide range of species, from placental mammals, such as humans and other primates, to marsupials, like kangaroos and opossums, and monotremes, including the egg-laying platypus.
Within this category, carnivores, like lions and tigers, feed on meat, while omnivores, such as bears and pigs, consume both plants and animals. Herbivores, including cows and deer, primarily feed on plants. Many mammals are terrestrial animals, inhabiting a variety of ecosystems, from forests to grasslands, while others, like whales and dolphins, are marine mammals, thriving in the world’s oceans.
The mammalian class is incredibly diverse, with over 5,000 species, ranging from the tiny bumblebee bat to the massive blue whale. Primates, rodents, and other mammalian groups exhibit unique characteristics, adaptations, and behaviors, underscoring the complexity and richness of animal classification in zoology.
As an integral part of wildlife and fauna, mammals play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity. By exploring and learning about these fascinating creatures, we can better appreciate the intricate relationships within ecosystems and work towards preserving the natural world.
When in the water, Common Hippos lift their slit-like nostrils up on the surface to breathe, at intervals of up to 6 min. A reflex response ensures that the nostrils and ears are closed as soon as they come into contact with water. By lifting the head above the water level, the ears, eyes, and […]
Hippos do not have real sweat glands but do have a pink secretion. However, a viscous alkaline secretion (pH 8.5–10.5), colorless to reddish-brown,is produced by large, subdermal glands (distributed at a density of about 1/cm2 ). This secretion imparts a pinkish tinge to the body and has antiseptic properties, preventing infections and sunburn and helping
Adult cows have an average body weight of 1,350 kg and an average shoulder height of 144 cm. Adult bulls are larger with an average mass of 1,500 kg and an average shoulder height of 150 cm. The hippopotamus is one of the largest megaherbivores in the world. In order, others are the African elephant,
It has been estimated that there may have been as many as 850,000 Black Rhinos in Africa around 1700, and throughout most of the twentieth century, the Black Rhino was still the most numerous of the world’s rhino species. However, relentless hunting of the species and clearance of land for settlement and agriculture have led
JAVAN RHINO – Rhinoceros sondaicus CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ~72; POPULATION STABLE Javan rhinos exist only in Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, where they are protected by the Rhino Protection Units. The population increased in number from 68 to 72 in 2019. They travel through the jungle, staying near rivers and streams. Like most others, the
Rhinoceroses are large-bodied, pachydermatous animals, endowed with one or two nasal horns consisting of aggregations of keratin fibers. The skin consists of a heavily keratinized and pigmented epidermis (about 1 mm thick) and a dense dermis (about 18-20 mm thick) composed of pure collagen fibers. A covering of very sparse hairs is found in some
Diceros is a polytypic genus, represented by a single extant species, the Black Rhinoceros – Diceros bicornis. This species once was widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, from Niger R. to the west in Somalia to the northeast and to the south in South Africa. It was never found in the Congolese rainforests. The animal exists in
White Rhino – Ceratotherium simum There are several theories to explain the origin of the name ‘white .from the Afrikaans ‘wyd’ or Dutch ‘wijd’ (meaning wide) not a color, as they are not white at all. There are the folds of skin near the top of the forelimbs, and in the flank where the upper
Although poaching is a potential threat to rhinos, no incidents of poaching have been reported since the 1990s due to effective law enforcement by the Park Authority and initiatives such as the Protection Unit and Monitoring of Rhinoceroses (RMPU) and the Coastal Patrol. The immediate threats to the Javan rhino population come from reduced genetic
The main threat to the population of the white rhinos is illegal hunting (poaching) to fuel the illegal international trade in rhinos. It is estimated that around 95% of rhino horn is currently sourced from Africa for illegal end markets in Southeast Asia. Rhinoceros horn has traditionally had two main uses: use in Chinese medicine