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Mammalogy

life science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Mammalogy is the science of studying mammals. The name comes from the Latin word mamma, which means breast.

Sibirischer tiger de edit02
Sibirischer tiger de edit02

Mammals are a special group of animals called vertebrates. They share many interesting traits. Most mammals have fur or hair on their bodies. They also have mammary glands to feed their young. These animals use a homeothermic metabolism to keep a steady body heat. They have four-chambered hearts and complex nervous systems too.

Sibirischer tiger de edit02
Sibirischer tiger de edit02

Scientists who study these animals are called mammalogists. They do many different types of work. Some look at anatomy, which is how the body is built. Others study physiology, or how the body works. Some focus on ethology to learn about animal behavior. Others study ecology to see how they live in nature.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

Mammalogists might also study how mammals manage their homes. This research helps us understand how mammals thrive in their ecosystems. It can even help us find cures for diseases.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

People have been curious about mammals for a very long time. The ancient Greeks were among the first to record information about them. They wrote about mammals that lived in Greece and others from far away.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

A famous thinker named Aristotle was a very early researcher. He was one of the first to know that whales and dolphins are mammals. For a long time, most studies focused on taxonomy, which is naming and grouping animals. Later, groups like the American Society of Mammalogists helped organize this work.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

There are many different kinds of mammals on our planet. Currently, there are 5,416 living mammal species identified.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

If we count species that are now extinct, the total is 6,495. Since the year 2006, humans have discovered about 1,251 new species. The American Society of Mammalogists was formed in 1919. Their membership grew a lot in the first ten years after they started.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

A mammalogist might earn about $58,000 a year on average.

Mammalogy is a branch of a larger science called zoology. Zoology is part of biology, which is the study of all living things.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

You can even find smaller branches of mammalogy. For example, primatology is the study of primates. Another branch is cetology, which is the study of cetaceans.

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Sibirischer tiger de edit02

Many scientists share what they learn in special journals. These books help everyone keep up with new discoveries. Studying mammals helps us connect with the natural world around us.

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