Define mammals and non mammals
Highlight four differences between mammals and non mammals
Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of hair or fur, the ability to nurse their offspring with milk produced by mammary glands, and a relatively high level of intelligence compared to other animals. They give birth to live young (with a few exceptions) and share certain common features such as a four-chambered heart and a diaphragm.
On the other hand, non-mammals refer to all animals that do not fall into the class of mammals. This includes birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates such as insects and mollusks.
Four differences between mammals and non-mammals are:
1. Reproduction: Mammals give birth to live young after a gestation period, while most non-mammals lay eggs, with the exception of a few species like some reptiles and monotremes (a group of egg-laying mammals).
2. Mammary glands: Mammals are characterized by having mammary glands that produce milk to nourish their young. Non-mammals do not possess mammary glands and instead use various methods to feed their offspring, such as regurgitation in birds or nutrition through eggs in reptiles.
3. Body temperature regulation: Mammals are generally endothermic (warm-blooded) animals, meaning they can regulate their body temperature internally. Non-mammals, particularly reptiles, amphibians, and fish, are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, relying on the environment to regulate their body temperature.
4. Type of integumentary system: Mammals have hair or fur covering their bodies, which aids in insulation, camouflage, and sensory perception. In contrast, non-mammals have a variety of integumentary structures, including feathers in birds, scales in reptiles, and smooth or slimy skin in amphibians and fish.