Origin and Evolution of Life: Mammals and You

Come one, come all! It is an exciting day to be an explorer as we dive into the exciting informative adventure revolved around the Mammal. Mammals are extremely interesting to learn about, as they are such a big part of our daily lives, we see them every day, but often times, we never really wonder how they got here. 

In this discovery of evolution, we will investigate key facts about mammals, dating back to prehistoric times and today.

Mammals and the Biological Evolution of it all

During the Triassic period, roughly 200 million years ago, mammals started appearing on earth after they evolved from therapsids, which are mammal-like reptiles. From there, their numbers began to multiply. 

Let the Mammal Reproduction begin!

After the Triassic period and Cretaceous period, mammals were really able to develop further on earth. With the absence of dinosaurs, survival of the fittest declined, and more mammals began to grow. 

Phylogenesis and Mammals

Phylogenesis is the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms, or of a particular feature of an organism. Going further then that we find ourselves discovering the phylogenics of our mammals, which is the discipline of evolutionary biology that seeks to depict the evolutionary relationships among both living and non-living taxa. As phylogenics claims, all organisms began evolving roughly 3.4 billion years ago, and have continued to evolve even today. This evolution has continued to grow through the genetic mutations that is acquired through genetic mutation. As a result, mammals were able to diversify tremendously. 

What defines a mammal? 

A mammal is a warm-blooded animal and vertebrate, with fur, skin, or hair covering its body that gives birth to live young, who are nourished with milk. 

How many mammals are there? 

Believe it or not, there are roughly 5,416 species groups for mammals, and that number has the potential to grow every year. 

If mammals are so abundant, where can we find them?

Because mammals are so abundant, we can literally find them anywhere! In fact, the person reading this information right now is a mammal. Humans are mammals, horses, dogs, cats, sheep, goats--humans can be found both in the ocean and on land. 

Do mammals have a specific habitat?

Not exactly. Mammals just need clean water, air, shelter, and space. The conditions vary between land and sea. 

Are there any organisms similar to mammals?

Yes. During the evolution of many creatures in the Jurassic Period, some therapsids had evolved into proto-mammalian traits (warm-blooded, fur, potentially live birthing), which later evolved into the mammals we see every day. 

Are there any mammals that can lay eggs?

Yes. Echidnas are spiny anteaters, belonging to the Tachyglossidae family in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. There are four extant species, along with the platypus, that are the only surviving members of the extant mammals that lay eggs.

Where can mammals be found in Florida specifically?

Florida has a wide variety of species of mammals that live specifically in the Everglades. This ranges from small creatures like bats and rabbits, to pilot whales and bottle-nosed dolphins. There's black bears, bobcats, foxes, skunks, moles, pigs, and even deer!