Mammals Quiz 7 Flashcards
Distinguishing Characteristics of Mammals
-pelage
-diaphragm
-3 inner ear bones
-7 cervical vertebre (neck bones) some exceptions
-mammary glands that produce milk
These are distinguishing traits
Order Monotremata
Platypus (duck billed) / Echidna (spiny anteaters)
Order Monotremata
Platypus and Echidna
- very reptilian
- cloaca -no teats
- locomotion (legs of to sides not under body)
- lay eggs (oviparous)
- no verbose (whiskers)
- males have venomous spurs on ankles
Order Marsupial
Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Tasmanian Devil, Wallaby , Opossum
Order Marsupial
Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Tasmanian Devil, Wallaby, Opossum
- america and australia
- short gestation (pregnancy period)
- young born underdeveloped
- young developed in marsupium (pouch)
Order Soricomorphia
Shrews and Moles
Order Soricomorphia
Shrews and Moles
- most primitive, placental mammals
- plantigrade: plant heel on ground while walking
- smallest known mammals
- uniform pelage type and length
- fossorial: live underground
Order Chiroptera
(hand wing)
Western Pipistrelle, Vampire Bats, Little Brown Bats
Order Chiroptera
Bats
- 2nd largest order
- only flying mammals
- hand attached to wing has clawed thumb
- echolocation
- keeled sternum
Order Lagomorpha
Rabbit, Hare, Others
Order Lagomorpha
Rabbit, Hare, Others
- 4 upper incisors and 2 lower teeth
- incisors grow throughout lifetime
- no canine teeth
- digitigrade: walk on front of toes, heel doesn’t touch ground
- Hares: precocial young (sighted, walking, eating)
- Rabbit/Pika: altricial young (naked, blind, helpless)
Order Rodentia
Rodents
Squirrels, Marmots, Woodchucks
Order Rodentia
Rodents
Squirrels, Marmots, Woodchucks
- largest order
- 2 upper / 2 lower incisors, grow throughout lifetime
- plant eaters
- many families of rodent species
Order Rodentia
Gopher Family
- external fur-lined cheeks
- incisors always exposed
- large front claws
- fossorial
Order Cetacea
Whales (Dolphins are whales)