Portal:Mammals

What Are Mammals?

Mammals are a special group of animals. You may know some, like dogs, whales, and even humans! What makes mammals different? They usually have fur or hair, and they have babies that drink milk. Most mammals give birth to live babies, but a few, like platypuses, lay eggs.

Where Do Mammals Live?

There are more than 5,000 kinds of mammals! They live almost everywhere—forests, deserts, mountains, and even oceans. Some, like the elephant, are very big, almost as heavy as a small car. Others, like the shrew, are tiny, smaller than your hand.

Why Are Mammals Important?

Mammals help our world in many ways. Some eat fruit and help plants grow by carrying seeds to new places. Others keep the numbers of different animals balanced. Learning about mammals helps us understand nature and how all living things are connected. Since humans are mammals too, studying them helps us learn how to protect animals and their homes.