Earth Science: Biology – Animals – Primates Primates, in comparison to most other animals, have a large brain with a strikingly enlarged cerebrum. This gives them the capacity to learn and to display complex social behavior. Nonhuman primates live in the tropical and subtropical forests and savannas of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. … Read more
Earth Science: Mammals – Night fliers The order Chiroptera belongs to the class of mammals and includes about 900 species of bats and flying foxes. These night fliers are the only mammals that can actively fly. Bats are widespread around the globe, with the exception of very cold regions, while flying foxes only live in … Read more
Earth Science: Biology – Animals – Predators Predators are the hunters among the mammals. Found throughout the world, they have highly diverse lifestyles and widely varying methods of capturing their prey. Predators have diverse lifestyles. Their most significant shared trait is daggerlike canine teeth and pairs of shearing carnassial cheek teeth that help them seize … Read more
Earth Science: Mammals – Insectivores Insectivores are a small and nonuniform order of about 450 animal species Hedgehogs, shrews, and moles are the most familiar insectivores. Some insectivores belong to the smallest mammals on Earth, including the Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), which reaches a length of just over an inch (35 mm) without its tail … Read more
Earth Science: Biology – Animals – Sea Mammals The planet’s largest living things are the Cetacea, which include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Cetacea and other sea mammals have exceptional sensory abilities and impressive aquatic skills. Whales and dolphins live in all the oceans on Earth, but despite their distribution, many cetaceans are threatened by extinction. … Read more
Earth Science: Biology – Animals – Ungulates Ungulates are hoofed mammals that have phalanges, or toes, that are encased within a hard covering. Ungulates include horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and many other animals, and almost all are herbivores. Ungulates include the largest, most impressive, and most commonly found land mammals. They can be identified by … Read more
Earth Science: Mammals – Rodents and Lagomorphs Although they can appear similar, rodents and lagomorphs developed independently of one another. They can be easily distinguished by the different incisor teeth on their upper jaw. Rodents and lagomorphs inhabit the entire planet with the exception of Antarctica. Rodents mostly feed on leaves, seeds, fruits, roots, and … Read more
Earth Science: Biology – Animals- Monotremes and Marsupials Monotremes and marsupials have characteristics not seen in other mammals. Monotremes lay eggs and marsupials give birth to live young, which then climb into their mother’s pouch to nurse and mature. The monotremes and the marsupials are among the surviving original mammals. Monotremes Monotremes are very unusual … Read more
Earth Science: Mammals – Mammals: Diversity From the fingernail-size Etruscan shrew to the almost a hundred-foot-long blue whale, the mere size differences among mammals are remarkable. Diverse modes of life have created a diversity of forms and functions. Distinct adaptations to a particular way of life are, for example, revealed by the various shapes of … Read more
Earth Science: Biology – Animals – Mammals: Common Features Mammals have spread successfully over the entire world, and have even conquered extreme habitats such as deserts and the Arctic. In spite of al external diversities, they have numerous characteristics in common. Mammals are the most highly developed vertebrate animals. Their constant body temperature grants them … Read more
