Mammals

Mammals are a group of animals that share special features. They are warm-blooded and have hair or fur. Mother mammals feed milk to their babies. Humans, dogs, whales, and bats are all mammals.

What Makes a Mammal

All mammals are warm-blooded, which means their bodies stay the same temperature. They have lungs and breathe air, even whales and dolphins. Almost all mammals give birth to live babies instead of laying eggs. They care for their young longer than most other animals.

Mammals Everywhere

Mammals live in almost every habitat on Earth. Whales swim in the ocean. Bats fly through the air. Moles dig underground. Monkeys swing through trees. There are about 6,400 different species of mammals.

Fun Facts

• The blue whale is the largest mammal and the largest animal ever to live on Earth.
• The bumblebee bat is the smallest mammal, weighing less than a penny.
• Dolphins and whales are mammals that live their whole lives in the ocean.

Did You Know?

The platypus and the echidna are the only mammals that lay eggs! They are called monotremes and live in Australia.