Mammal Adaptations
Mammals are a group of animals that fit together because they all 1)have fur
or hair 2) bear live young 3) feed their young with milk from specialized
mammary glands.
We are going to look at some adaptations of some mammals.
Hair: Hair is what helps protect the animals from the environment. It helps to
keep the animal warm in the winter. There is a soft underhair (pelage) that helps
to insulate the animals and a coarser, longer guard hair to protect the animal and
provide coloration. The density and coarseness of the hair is a clue to the type of
environment the animal must survive in. The coloration of the hair is also often an
adaptation that allows the animal to hide or send a message to other animals to
"stayaway't!
Teeth: The size and shape of an animal's teeth give us clues into what the animal
eats. Animals can be grouped into 3 categories based upon what they eat:
K. McDaniel
2004
•
Carnivores: These animals eat mainly meat (other animals).
Because of this, two types of teeth are found in these animals.
o Canines: long, sharp teeth to grasp and kill prey
o Cheek-teeth: more blade-like to cut and chew
• Examples of carnivorous animals: African lion, weasels
and Bobcats
•
Omnivores: These animals eat both meat and vegetables. The teeth
are adapted so that these animals can eat meat and grind and chew
plant material.
o Canines: Blunter than found in carnivores
o Cheek-teeth: flatter for grinding plant material
• Examples of omnivorous animals: humans, raccoons,
skunks and squirrels
•
Herbivores: These animals eat mostly plant material. Since plants
usually are fibrous, the teeth of these animals must be adapted for
side-to side movement.
o Canines: Many herbivores do not have canine teeth. If they do,
they are small and blunt.
o Selenodont molars: These are special jaw teeth in some
herbivores that have high points at an angle to the direction the
jaw moves. This helps grind food.
o Lophodont molars: Other herbivores have these type of jaw
teeth where the high points run the same directions as the side
to side movement of the jaw.
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Examples of herbivorous animals: rabbits, deer and
beaver
Eye Placement: The location of the eyes on the head of the animal is a clue how
the animal sees. An animal whose eyes are located on the sides of its head must
cock its head to see things in front of it. Animals with eyes in the front must e able
to turn their heads to see sideways.
Activity:
1. Look at the pelt and the skull replica for each animal and answer the questions
about each. Below is a description of the animals we are studying.
Animal
think
itot
are
the
located?
of
Describe
eyes
here?
to
see
does
fur
does
animal
for?
coloration?
Is
or
skull.
in
What
this
the
thi
ais
kindyou
a
this
adaptati
have
the
How
can
the
teeth
What
not
Where
How
think
conditions
tthere
he
be
this
herbivore?
If
so,
what
omnivore,
protects
tell?
do
you
carnivore,
you
ma~
do
you
any
special
special
animal
how
affectthe
es?
Weasel
Raccoon
Bobcat
Skunk
Squirrel
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2004
77
Opossum
(This is
NOTa
mammal!)
Read
below to
find out
more!
Muskrat
Deer
Beaver
1. How do each of these adaptations help this animal survive?
2. Do you think these animals will look exactly the same in 200 years? Why
or why not?
3. Which animals seem to be the most similar?
In what ways?
4. Which animals see to be the most different?
In what ways?
.'----- ..
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2004
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Animal Info.:
Rabbit: These animals are designed for speed! They have powerful hind legs
that propel them as they hop along quickly. They have a very keen sense of
hearing (what adaptation would allow this?) and like to dig burrows underground
where they live. They are herbivores eating grass, leaves and bark. Rabbits
belona to a group called rodents.
Raccoon: Raccoons look like bandits with black masks of fur! They also have
black rings of fur on their tails. They can use their clawed fingers to grasp food
and scavenge food out of garbage cans. Often they eat fish or other water
animals. They are omnivores.
Weasel: These slender animals are found all over the globe. Often the tip of their
tail is black. When they move the black tip on their tale, predators will sometimes
chase the tip of their tale and miss catching them! This helps them survive
becoming someone else's lunch. Weasels are carnivores.
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2004
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Bobcat: Bobcats are carnivorous hunters. They have strong jaws that can grasp
prey and sharp, retractable claws. The coat of the Bobcat is spotted, why? It has
large ears but a short, stubby tail. Many Bobcats have tufts of hair on their ears to
help them hear better.
Skunk: Skunks produce an awful spray that smell terrible! This oily, yellow liquid
can be sprayed at predators to keep them away! Unfortunately, skunks often
spray their liquid when they are frightened by humans. Skunks eat insects, plants
and other small animals. They are considered to be omnivores. They usually
hunt at night making them nocturnal. The coloration of the skunk helps to warn
other animals that danger is near (smelly danger that is).
Squirrel: Squirrels are very common in Kentucky. They are very agile, climbing
trees and walking on telephone lines. They have large, bushy tails and strong
hind legs. They are considered to be rodents. They eat nuts, seeds, leaves,
bulbs and roots. They are considered to be omnivores.
,,----, ..
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2004
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Opossum: The opossum is NOT a mammal! Although it has fur, it carries its
young in a pouch, like a kangaroo! This makes it a marsupial. Opossums are
also nocturnal. They eat insects, seeds and other small animals. They are
omnivores. They have a hairless tail that is able to grasp and hold onto objects.
Muskrat: The muskrat is also a rodent. It is an omnivore that eats water plants
and shellfish. Muskrats are usually found in or near water. They are very good
swimmers. They have special glands that produce a strong musky smell.
Deer: Deer are large animals that have powerful legs that allow them to run fast.
The back of a IIwhite-tailed' deer is white so that the deer can flit its tail to warn
others of danger. Deer eat plants and are considered to be herbivores.
Beaver: Beaver eat pond lilies and the bark of trees (aspen and birch)and so are
considered to be herbivores. They have very specialized teeth to chew through
the branches of trees. The four front teeth are called incisors. The lower incisors
never stop growing but are kept short by constant gnawing. Beavers sometimes
IIdamll rivers because they chew down trees that stop the flow of water. They
have a large, broad, paddle-like tail that helps them to swim.
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2004
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