There are over 5,000 species that live all over the earth, from the smallest bumblebee bat to the largest blue whale and even humans. We have everything kids need to know about mammals. Learn characteristics, where they live, and what they eat with these amazing mammal facts for kids.
What is a Mammal?
Mammals are one of the six classes of animals. The six classes of animals are birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and mammals. There are three different types of mammal categories:
- Placental Mammals
- Monotremes Mammals
- Marsupials
Placental mammals are mammals that give live birth to babies. They do not lay eggs. Humans are placental mammals.
Monotremes mammals are mammals that lay eggs. A platypus is a monotremes mammal.
Marsupials are mammals that carry their babies in their pouch. Koalas are marsupials.
Mammal Information
Mammals are a diverse group of animals that includes humans, primates, rodents, whales, dolphins, bats, dogs, cats, horses, cows, polar bears, lions, tigers, camels, elephants, giraffes, and many others.
They are found in almost all habitats on Earth, from the polar regions to the tropics, and play important ecological roles as predators, prey, and ecosystem engineers.
Mammals are a group of animals that are characterized by several features, including:
- They have hair or fur on their bodies.
- They are warm-blooded animals, meaning they can regulate their body temperature internally. Their body temperature remains the same no matter what the weather is.
- They have mammary glands that produce milk to feed their young.
- They have a four-chambered heart.
- They have a diaphragm, a muscle that helps them breathe.
What do Mammals Eat?
Mammal babies drink their mother’s milk. As babies grow, new foods are introduced to their diet.
The diet of mammals can vary widely depending on their species and habitat. Mammals can be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores.
Herbivorous mammals feed mainly on plants, including leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, stems, and roots. Examples of herbivorous mammals include deer, cows, horses, rabbits, and many species of rodents.
Carnivorous mammals, on the other hand, feed mainly on other animals, including insects, fish, birds, rodents, and other mammals. Examples of carnivorous mammals include lions, tigers, wolves, coyotes, and domestic cats and dogs.
Omnivorous mammals eat plants and animals, including insects, fruits, nuts, seeds, and small mammals. Examples of omnivorous mammals include humans, bears, raccoons, and pigs.
Some mammals are specialized feeders and have unique diets. For example, anteaters feed on ants and termites, while whales and dolphins feed on fish and other marine animals.
Where do Mammals live?
Mammals live all over the world. They live in rainforests, jungles, savannahs, deserts, oceans, farms, and forests. Here are some mammal habitats
Mammals that live in the ocean
Many different types of mammals live in the ocean! Here are a few examples of marine mammals that kids might find interesting:
Whales
Whales are the largest mammals on Earth, and many species live in the ocean. Some examples include humpback whales, blue whales, and killer whales.
Dolphins
Dolphins are highly intelligent mammals that are known for their playful behavior. Many different species of dolphins live in the ocean and can be found in almost every ocean in the world.
Porpoises
Porpoises are similar to dolphins, but they are smaller and have a more rounded head. They are also found in many different parts of the ocean. Learn more differences between dolphins and porpoises here,
Seals
Seals are marine mammals that are well-adapted to life in the water. They have streamlined bodies and can swim very quickly. Some examples of seals include harbor, elephant, and fur seals.
Sea Otters
Sea otters are small, furry mammals in the Pacific Ocean’s coastal areas. They are known for their playful behavior and for using tools like rocks to help them break open shellfish.
Orcas
Orcas are also known as killer whales, but they are not whales. They are the largest member of the dolphin family. Orcas are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators. They are hunters and can be found in the northern parts of the world’s oceans in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Manatees
These gentle giants are also known as sea cows and can be found in warm, shallow waters along the coasts of North and South America. They are herbivores and spend most of their time grazing on seagrasses.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of mammals that live in the ocean.
Mammals that live in the desert
Deserts are hot, dry environments. Here are some mammals that live in harsh desert habitats.
Camels:
Camels are well-known for their ability to survive in the desert. They have adapted to the harsh environment by storing fat in their humps, which they can use for energy when food and water are scarce.
Coyotes
Coyotes are found in many desert regions around the world. They are known for their adaptability and ability to hunt and scavenge for food.
Desert foxes:
Desert foxes, also known as fennec foxes, are small nocturnal mammals that live in the Sahara Desert. Their large ears help them stay cool in the hot desert climate.
Desert rats:
There are several species of desert rats, including kangaroo rats and pocket mice. These small rodents have adapted to the desert by conserving water and living in burrows underground.
Desert bighorn sheep:
These sheep have adapted to the harsh desert environment by having a special digestive system that allows them to extract water from the plants they eat. They also have special hooves that help them climb the rocky terrain.
Gila monsters:
Gila monsters are venomous lizards that live in the deserts of North America. Their thick skin helps them retain water and survive in hot, dry climates.
Mammals that live in the Jungle or Rainforests
Jungles and rainforests are similar habitats. Rainforests have thicker and taller trees than a jungle. Jungle trees aren’t as thick and let more sunlight through. You will sometimes find jungles surrounding rainforests. Here are some mammals that live in rainforests or jungles.
Jaguars:
Jaguars are large cats that live in the jungles of South and Central America. They are excellent swimmers and climbers and are known for their powerful jaws and sharp claws.
Sloths
Sloths are slow-moving mammals that live in the trees of the jungle. They have long, curved claws that help them grip onto branches and sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are intelligent primates that live in the jungles of Africa. They are known for their ability to use tools, communicate with each other, and solve problems.
Tapirs
Tapirs are large, herbivorous mammals that live in the jungles of South America and Asia. They have a distinctive, pig-like snout and are excellent swimmers.
Toucans
Toucans are colorful birds that live in the jungles of Central and South America. They have large, colorful bills that they use to catch insects and fruits.
Mammals that live in the African Savannah
The African savannah is a vast grassy plain found in Africa. It is a beautiful and unique ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of animals and plants. Here are some mammals that live in the African savannah.
Lions:
Lions are large cats that live in the savannahs of Africa. They are known for their majestic appearance and powerful roar. They hunt and live n groups called pride. Lions eat a variety of prey, including zebras and antelopes.
Elephants:
Elephants are the largest land animals found in the savannahs of Africa and Asia. They are intelligent and social animals that live in herds and eat a lot of vegetation.
Giraffes:
Giraffes are tall animals that can reach up to 18 feet in height. They live in the savannahs of Africa and have long necks that help them reach leaves on tall trees.
Zebras:
Zebras are social animals that live in the savannahs of Africa. They have distinctive black and white stripes and are closely related to horses. They are preyed upon by lions and other predators.
Gazelles:
Gazelles are fast-running animals that live in the savannahs of Africa and Asia. They have slender bodies and long legs that help them run away from predators. They are herbivores and eat grass and other vegetation.
Warthogs:
Warthogs are wild pigs that live in the savannahs of Africa. They have distinctive tusks and a tough hide that helps protect them from predators. They eat roots, fruits, and other vegetation.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are speedy predators and are the fastest land animals on earth. They can run at speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
Mammals that live on a Farm
A farm is a place where crops and/or animals are raised for food, fiber, or other products. Farms can vary in size and type and can be found in many different parts of the world. Here are so mammals that live on farms.
Cows:
Cows are common domesticated mammals raised for meat, milk, and other dairy products.
Pigs:
Pigs are also domesticated mammals raised for meat like bacon and ham.
Horses:
These domesticated mammals are used for transportation, work, and recreation.
Sheep:
These are domesticated mammals that are raised for their wool. Sheep’s wool is used to make clothing.
Goats:
These domesticated mammals are raised for their milk, meat, and wool.
Donkeys:
These domesticated mammals are often used as work animals on farms and kept as pets.
We hope you enjoyed these facts and information about mammals. To learn more about mammals, check out these animal facts below.
