What's Up, Dog?
What sense have humans largely lost compared to other mammals?
Smell
Name a mammal that can live in a very cold region (like Antarctica or Northern Canada)
Polar Bear, Moose, Snow Leopard, etc.
An animal with strong, pronounced canine teeth is most likely what type of eater?
Carnivore
Name a mammal that does NOT give live birth (Oviparous).
Platypus or Echidna (Monotremes)
How many chambers are there in a mammal's heart?
4
Name 3 functions of hair for mammals:
Insulation, camouflage, appear threatening, sensory perception, etc.
Mammals are warm-blooded, or ______, meaning that they can control their own internal body temperature.
Endothermic
What are the front teeth, used for cutting up vegetation or pieces of meat, called?
Incissors
Which mammal has the fastest resting heart rate:
Horse
Human
Chipmunk
Elephant
Chipmunk (smaller animals have higher resting heart rates)
Mammal hair is made of _____, the same substance that reptile scales and feathers are made of.
Keratin
Name a mammal that does not have teeth
Anteater, Pangolin, Platypus, Baleen whale
How does a dog's panting help cool down it's internal body temperature?
Allows water to evaporate from the lungs and mouth
An animal with strong, defined molars is most likely what type of eater?
Herbivore
What is the purpose of alveoli in lungs?
Increases surface area of the lungs (allows them to breathe in more oxygen)
What is the outside of a mammal's brain called?
Neocortex
What event led to the massive explosion of diversity in mammals, a few million years ago?
The dying-off of the dinosaurs
Why do mammals need to eat large amounts of food relative to their body size?
Mammals need food to regulate their internal body temperature
Aside from aiding in digestion, why do mammals chew their food?
Helps them gain more nutrients and energy from it
Name a distinct difference between the care provided for a newborn elephant vs. a newborn sea turtle
Elephant mother cares for her young, nurses, protects it, socializes, etc.
Newborn sea turtle must fend completely for itself
Describe how the blood vessels in mammals work in order to help regulate their body temperature
Muscles in the blood vessels will contract (get smaller) to preserve body heat, and they will expand (get larger) to help cool off more effectively.
Describe how the gestational period differs between a Kangaroo and an African Elephant
Kangaroo - short gestational period, baby is born and must latch onto nipple in mother's pouch for multiple months after it is born, no immediate care from mother aside from milk and protection
Elephant - long gestational period, baby is born as mini-adult and will be cared for by mother.
This part of the brain controls body temperature.
Hypothalamus
Name 3 different mammals who show characteristics of being omnivores
Humans, bears, chimpanzees, dogs, etc.
What mammal species is the most trafficked in the world?
Pangolin (scaly anteater)
This part of the brain is significantly larger in mammals than other animals, and helps to control involuntary movements, increases sensory perception, and is correlated with higher levels of intelligence.
Cerebrum