MAMMALS and FOOD
Some mammals are meat-eaters or "carnivores".
Wolves, coyotes, dogs and cats are carnivores.
Some mammals are plant-eaters or "herbivores".
Cows, the hippopotamus, elephants, giraffes, beavers, deer and horses are herbivores.
Some mammals eat both plants and meats.
They are called "omnivores". Humans,
bears and raccoons are omnivores.
A small group of mammals are insect-eaters or "insectivores".
Aardvarks and anteaters belong to this group.
RODENTS
The largest order (group) of mammals is the RODENT. The rodent has
teeth especially adapted for gnawing (chewing). They have large,
curved front teeth. The beaver, gerbil, mouse, gopher and porcupine are all rodents.
So are squirrels and chipmunks. As they gnaw their teeth do not wear down, but
keep growing. So a rodent's teeth stay about the same length.
The porcupine needs strong teeth
to gnaw on
tree bark and branches.
UNIQUE MAMMALS
Some animals that belong to the mammal group are unique.
The BAT is the only mammal that can fly. The largest mammal is the
BLUE WHALE. The smallest mammal is the Kitti's HOG-NOSE BAT. The
ELEPHANT is the largest of all land mammals. The GIRAFFE is the tallest.
The PLATYPUS and the ECHNIDNA are the only mammals that lay eggs
instead of giving birth to live young. Like other mammals, they feed their young
with milk.
The blue whale is the largest mammal.
next - BIRDS
ANIMALS GROUPS
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