November 14, 2022
Ancient Large Mammals from Eritrea
By Tsegai Medin
Mammals are among the most adaptable animals on the planet. They are found on every continent and in every ocean, and range in size from tiny bats to enormous blue whales. The basic body type is a terrestrial quadruped, but some mammals are adapted for life at sea, in the air, in trees, underground or on two legs. The largest group of mammals have placenta, which enables the feeding of the fetus during gestation. With the exception of the five species of monotreme (egg-laying mammals), all modern mammals give birth to live young. All these five egg-laying mammals are found only in Australia and New Guinea.Mammals are among the most successful groups. One of the main reasons for their success is the way they move. As a group they use every possible form of locomotion. Terrestrial mammal species walk, run, jump, climb, hop, swing, dig, and burrow and the aquatic ones swim, shuffle, and dive. A few of them even fly. Their diet and behavior vary.
