Question

Mammals are most adapted among the vertebrates. Elaborate.

Answer 1

Characteristics:

Mammals show the following characters:

● They are warm blooded animals.

● The body is covered with hair.

● They possess mammary glands to nourish their young ones.

● Sebaceous and sudoriferous glands are present in the skin.

● The heart is four-chambered.

● Respiration takes place by lungs.

● Except egg-laying mammals, all are viviparous.

● They have heterodont dentition.

Habitat:

Mammals are present in all types of habitat like in polar ice caps (polar bear), deserts (camel), mountains (snow leopard), forest (lion), water (whale), dark caves (bats), grasslands (giraffe) etc.

Adaptations:

Mammals have developed different adaptations in response to the environment.

● Mammals of the cold region have thick fur or blubber for insulation (to retain heat).

● Well-developed parental care, the protection of the young ones enables mammals to have a higher survival rate.

● They have a well-developed brain that includes a large cerebrum and cerebellum.

● They possess two pairs of well developed limbs which help them in walking, running, climbing etc. This helps them to survive in different environments.

● Internal fertilisation and viviparity ensure that developing embryos are well protected and get proper nutrition.