Mammals
What are Mammals?
Mammals are warm-blooded animals with backbones that typically give birth to live young. They have fur or hair on their bodies and produce milk to feed their babies. This group includes some of the most familiar creatures on Earth, from pets to predators in the wild.
Key Characteristics of Mammals
One of the key things that sets mammals apart is how they care for their young — mothers nurse their babies with milk from specialised glands, a trait you won’t find in birds or reptiles. Mammals also have a four-chambered heart, complex brains, and most can maintain a constant internal body temperature regardless of their environment.
How Many Mammal Species Are There in the World and in India?
There are about 6,500 known species of mammals on the planet, of which around 455 are found in India, and they live in nearly every type of habitat, from deep oceans to mountaintops.
Examples of Mammals: From Whales to Bats
Common examples include dogs, elephants, bats, dolphins, and even humans — we’re mammals too! Some, like the blue whale, are the largest animals to have ever lived, while others, like the bumblebee bat, can fit in the palm of your hand.
Threats and Conservation of Mammals
Despite their diversity and adaptability, many mammals are in trouble. Habitat loss due to deforestation, urban development, and agriculture is one of the biggest threats. Climate change is also forcing some species to shift their ranges or face extinction. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade, particularly of animals like rhinos, pangolins, and tigers, have put severe pressure on wild populations. Even species that seem common today can quickly become endangered if ecosystems are disrupted. Conservation efforts, including protected areas, breeding programmes, and stronger wildlife laws, are working to slow the decline—but there’s still a long way to go. Understanding mammals and their role in the environment is one step toward protecting them, and it reminds us that we’re not just observers in nature—we’re a part of it, too.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































