The document discusses the characteristics of mammals. It notes that mammals are vertebrates that have fur or hair, are warm-blooded, nourish their young with milk, breathe air, and have four limbs or fins with a four-chambered heart. It divides mammals into three main groups: monotremes that are egg-laying, marsupials that give birth to underdeveloped young that develop in the mother's pouch, and placental mammals that give birth to more developed young and have a longer gestation period than marsupials. Finally, it notes that mammal diets can include carnivores that eat meat, herbivores that eat plants, omnivores that eat both plants and meat

1. MAMMALS BES, Grade 4 Animal Unit

2. Mammals… … are vertebrates, meaning they have backbones. … have fur or hair. … are warm-blooded. … nourish their young with milk. … breathe air. … have four limbs or fins and have a four-chambered heart.

3. Mammals are a very diverse group! Some mammals live on land, while others are aquatic animals. Mammals very in size from tiny rodents to enormous elephants. Some mammals can fly, while others walk on land. Mammals have adapted to live in a variety of habitats.

4. Mammals can further be divided into three groups: Monotremes Marsupials Placental mammals Let’s look a little more closely at each of these groups!

5. What are MONOTRMES ? Monotremes are primitive, egg-laying mammals. Example: duck-billed platypus

6. What are MARSUPIALS ? Marsupials give birth to very underdeveloped young. The young then develop in the mother’s pouch . Examples: kangaroos and koalas

7. What are PLACENTAL mammals? Placental mammals give birth to more developed young . Placental mammals have a longer gestation period than marsupials. Examples: humans and dogs

8. The diets of mammals differ as well. Some mammals are carnivores . Eat meat (other animals) Examples: dolphins and tigers Some mammals are herbivores . Eat plants Examples: cows and pandas Some mammals are omnivores . Eat both plants and meat (other animals) Examples: people and some bears Some mammals are insectivores . Eat insects Examples: aardvark and anteaters

9. Directions: Find a partner of the opposite gender. Together read the text on mammals. As you read, highlight important information. Complete the web on the back of the paper.