Mammals have backbones, their bodies are covered in hair or bristles, they make their own body heat, and they feed their young on milk. They have larger brains than most other animals.
When did the first mammals appear?
The first mammals appeared on Earth about 220 million years ago. They lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Mammals survived after the dinosaurs died out, and then they became the ruling animals on Earth. There are about 4,200 different kinds of mammals alive today.
Amazing! Woolly mammoths were big elephants with extra-long tusks up to 3 metres long. Their bodies were covered in fur.
Did mammals only live on land?
Mammals came to live in all of Earth’s habitats. Many lived on land, but some, such as bats, were able to glide through the air on wings of skin. Other mammals swam in the sea, such as whales, dolphins and seals.
Is it true? The elephant is the largest land mammal ever to have lived.
No. Indricotherium was the largest land mammal. It was almost 8 metres tall and as heavy as four elephants.
Picture Credit : Google