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Mammal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mammal

[หˆmรฆmษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

biological classification

A mammal is a warm-blooded vertebrate animal that belongs to the class Mammalia. Mammals are characterized by the presence of mammary glands, which produce milk for feeding their young, and hair or fur covering their bodies. Most mammals give live birth, although some, like the monotremes, lay eggs.

Synonyms

vertebrate, warm-blooded animal.

Examples of usage

  • Humans are classified as mammals.
  • Whales and dolphins are aquatic mammals.
  • Bats are the only flying mammals.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Evolution

  • Mammals evolved from reptilian ancestors around 200 million years ago during the Mesozoic era.
  • The first true mammals were small, shrew-like creatures that thrived in the shadows of dinosaurs.

Diversity

  • Mammals are incredibly diverse, with over 5,400 species, ranging from tiny bumblebee bats to enormous blue whales.
  • They can be found in habitats all over the world, from deep oceans to high mountains.

Behavior

  • Many mammals exhibit complex social behaviors, like elephants forming family herds and dolphins using coordinated hunting techniques.
  • Certain species, like primates, display advanced cognitive abilities including problem-solving and communication.

Cultural Significance

  • Mammals have played a significant role in human culture, symbolizing various traits like strength (lions) and wisdom (owls).
  • Throughout history, mammals have been companions, laborers, and sources of food, profoundly impacting human society.

Origin of 'mammal'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'mammal' comes from the Latin 'mammalia,' which means 'nipple,' reflecting the key feature of producing milk.
  • The term was first used in the 18th century by the scientist Carl Linnaeus when classifying different types of animals.

The word 'mammal' is derived from the Latin word 'mamma', meaning 'breast', which reflects the defining feature of mammalsโ€”their ability to nourish their young with milk produced from mammary glands. The term was first formally used in the 18th century during the development of biological classification systems by scientists like Carl Linnaeus, who sought a systematic way to categorize living organisms. In the context of evolution, mammals emerged around 200 million years ago from earlier reptilian ancestors during the late Triassic period. The adaptive features that set mammals apart, such as hair and the ability to regulate body temperature, have allowed them to occupy a wide range of ecological niches across the globe.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,357, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.