How many kinds of mammals can you think of? Even if we start counting the mammals that we encounter every day, the number would be very high. There are about 5,000 species of living mammals.
Mammals are divided into three sub-classes, and about 26 orders. They display a remarkable array of adaptation abilities. Their intelligence enables them to inhabit a wide range of habitats. They vary in size from the minute bumblebee bat, which measures a mere three centimetres in length, to the magnificent blue whale, which can measure 33 metres from head to tail. The main orders of living mammals are given in the box here.
MONOTREMATA: Mammals that lay eggs. Example: Platypus
MARSUPIALIA: Their young are very immature at birth; females usually have pouches. Example: Kangaroo
INSECTIVORA: Small insect-eating mammals. Example: Mole.
DERMOPETRA: Gliding mammals. Example: Flying lemur
CHIROPETRA: Mammals with wings. Example: Bat
PRIMATES: Mammals with highly developed nervous systems; most have opposable thumbs. Example: Monkey
EDENTATA: Mammals that usually have simple, peg-like teeth. Example: Anteater
PHOLIDOTA: Mammals with coverings of overlapping scales. Example: Pangolin
LAGOMORPHA: Small-to medium-size mammals with clawed toes; tails are either stubby or lacking. Example: Rabbit
RODENTIA: Gnawing mammals. Example: Rat
CETACEA: Water-dwelling mammals with fish like forms. Example: Whale
CARNIVORE: Flesh-eating mammals. Example: Dog
TUBULIDENTATA: Long-snouted, long-clawed, insect-eating mammals. Example: Aardvark
PROBOSCIDEA: Huge mammals with trunks. Example: Elephant
HYRACOIDEA: Small, rodent like mammals with hooves. Example: Hyrax or rock rabbit
SIRENIA: Water-dwelling mammals with flippers, paddle-shaped tails, and no hind legs. Example: Manatee
PERISSODACTYLA: Hoofed mammals with odd numbers of toes on each hind foot. Example: Horse
ARTIODACTYLA: Hoofed mammals with even numbers of toes on each foot. Example: Cow
Picture credit: google