Photo Challenge #1: Mammalia
In the biological sciences, humans are categorized in the taxonomic Class Mammalia and we share several broad characteristics with other mammals (this will also be a topic in Week 5). Some common characteristics of mammals include:
Specialized Skin Glands – mammals have many types of glands not found in other vertebrates, such as scent and sweat glands. Mammals are warm-blooded, so perspiration helps regulation body temperature.
Hair – mammal bodies are typically covered in hair, although some have more (e.g. bear) than others (whales, humans, etc.)
Live-births – most (but not all) mammalian females retain their eggs inside their wombs and give birth to live offspring (rather than laying eggs)
Milk-Producing – the name “mammal” comes from mammary gland, which are the glands that produce milk used to feed young mammals
Prolonged Dependency – newborn and infant mammals are not independent at birth like some other types of animals. Mammals require adult care for a period of time before they can survive on their own.
There are other characteristics in heart (4 chambers), teeth (specialized), jaw bone (lower jaw attached to skull), and ear bones (three inner ear bones) as well.
This photo challenge requires you to explore the co-existence and commonalities between humans and non-human mammals. Before you rush to take an easy photo of your pet, take some time to first investigate some mammalian characteristics and some of the different species of mammals that exist in our lives, whether in wild or domesticated forms. Try to think about the world from the perspective of other mammals and how they may experience this world that has been shaped so significantly by human activities and lifeways.
Make sure that the subject(s) of your photo are indeed mammal (and not another type of animal).
Should include 1 photo taken by you, 2 hashtags, and a 100-200 word description illustrating that the core idea of the lesson was understood and applied.
