Mammal Hullabaloo Lesson
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Mammals live on land and in the water.
Bats, dolphins, whales, kangaroos, mice, giraffes, manatees, and people are
all mammals. What do all these mammals have in common? First, as you know
from the song, all mammals have hair. It seems hard to believe but a
porcupines sharp quills are actually hairs. Second, all mammals breathe with
lungs and have a four-chambered heart. Third, female mammals have mammary
glands that store and release milk that feeds their young. Fourth, mammals
care for their young after they are born. Mammals are also endothermic. Endo means within and thermo means temperature. So, endothermic means "temperature within." Humans have a temperature within that is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, most mammals have an internal body temperature between 90 and 104 degrees F. Now, the next time you see a mouse don’t jump on a chair. Just wink and say "hello fellow creature with hair!"
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