Mammalogy: The Study of Mammals

Mammalogy

Definition Mammalogy is the study of mammals, a class of warm-blooded animals that have hair or fur, and produce milk for their young.

Subfields

• Primatology: study of primates (e.g., monkeys, apes, lemurs)
• Cetology: study of whales, dolphins, and porpoises
• Chiropterology: study of bats
• Lagomorphology: study of rabbits and hares

Characteristics of Mammals

• Warm-bloodedness: ability to regulate body temperature
• Hair or fur: covering of soft, thread-like structures
• Mammary glands: produce milk for young
• Three bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, and stapes
• Live birth: give birth to live young (except for platypus and echidna)

Mammalian Orders

• Primates: lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes (e.g., humans, chimpanzees)
• Rodentia: rodents (e.g., mice, rats, squirrels)
• Carnivora: carnivorous mammals (e.g., lions, tigers, bears)
• Cetacea: whales, dolphins, and porpoises
• Chiroptera: bats
• Lagomorpha: rabbits and hares
• Perissodactyla: odd-toed ungulates (e.g., horses, rhinoceroses)
• Artiodactyla: even-toed ungulates (e.g., cows, pigs, deer)

Evolutionary History Mammals evolved from reptilian ancestors around 160 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. They diversified into various groups, including monotremes, marsupials, and placentals.

Mammalogy

Definition

• Mammalogy is the study of mammals, characterized by being warm-blooded, having hair or fur, and producing milk for their young.

Subfields

• Primatology: study of primates (e.g., monkeys, apes, lemurs)
• Cetology: study of whales, dolphins, and porpoises
• Chiropterology: study of bats
• Lagomorphology: study of rabbits and hares

Characteristics of Mammals

• Warm-bloodedness: ability to regulate body temperature
• Hair or fur: covering of soft, thread-like structures
• Mammary glands: produce milk for young
• Three bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, and stapes
• Live birth: give birth to live young (except for platypus and echidna)

Mammalian Orders

• Primates: lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes (e.g., humans, chimpanzees)
• Rodentia: rodents (e.g., mice, rats, squirrels)
• Carnivora: carnivorous mammals (e.g., lions, tigers, bears)
• Cetacea: whales, dolphins, and porpoises
• Chiroptera: bats
• Lagomorpha: rabbits and hares
• Perissodactyla: odd-toed ungulates (e.g., horses, rhinoceroses)
• Artiodactyla: even-toed ungulates (e.g., cows, pigs, deer)

Evolutionary History

• Mammals evolved from reptilian ancestors around 160 million years ago, during the Jurassic period.
• Diversified into various groups, including monotremes, marsupials, and placentals.

Learn about the characteristics and subfields of mammalogy, including primatology, cetology, and more.