What makes a mammal a mammal?
Skeleton:
Mammals have a backbone or spine. They have an endoskeleton (meaning an internal skeletal system).
Breathing:
All mammals have lungs to breathe air.
Skin:
Mammals have hair on their bodies.
Some have a small amount.
Others have a lot!
Body Temperature:
Mammals are endothermic (fancy word for “warm-blooded”). That means that mammals’ bodies regulate their temperature. It is NOT dependent on the external surroundings. (This means mammals can survive in a variety of climates.)
Babies and Young:
Mammals produce milk to feed their young/babies. Young mammals stay with their parents longer to get this nourishment and to learn survival skills.