Natural History Museum: Exploring Mammals: Mammal Groups

Scientists look at a number of things to place animals into groups. One way mammals are placed into groups is by looking at their body structure.

Animals of the same group may have similar body structures in addition to common ancestors or relatives. As animals become more and more similar, they are grouped into smaller and smaller groups until they are labeled as the same species. Animals of the same species can produce fertile young. There are many groups of mammals, both large and small. Here are a few of the groups you will see in our halls.

Bears

Most bears, with the exception of the polar bear, are omnivores. A combination of sharp and flat teeth help with their varied diet of insects, fish, berries, nuts, and small vertebrates. They may also eat carrion, which is the rotting remains of dead animals. Bears have heavy bodies, powerful limbs, and walk on flat feet. They have short tails and thick, shaggy fur that is usually all one color.

Cats

Members of the cat family are considered to be the most carnivorous of mammals. Most have a short snout that allows them to bite strongly with their front teeth. They stalk their prey and move quickly to capture it. Most cats also have retractable claws, for hunting and climbing, that they can pull inside when not in use. Many cats have long tails that help them balance when jumping and climbing.

Look for…
lions
leopards
bobcats
mountain

Members of the weasel group are carnivores with sharp teeth to help them slice through meat. Unlike cats, their claws do not retract and the can be used for climbing or digging. Most weasel relatives have a long body with short legs and a pointed face.

Seals and Sea Lions

Mammals in these groups are easily recognized by their front and back limbs that are modified into flippers. This allows for better mobility in the water. Sea lions can use both their front and back flippers to image of sea lion

move on land. Seals have a more difficult time moving on land and rely on their stomach muscles to pull themselves along. Members of these groups all have a thick layer of blubber that helps keep them warm in cold waters.

Antelope

The antelope group is especially adapted for life in the African savanna. They have long slender legs that make them swift runners and this allows them to escape predators in the open grassland. Antelope have tough horns that may be used to defend territory or for protection. These herbivores have large eyes on the side of their heads to watch for predators and their coats help them to camouflage with their grassy savanna habitat. Although image of Thomson's Gazelle

they may look similar, antelope and deer are grouped differently.

Try This!

When you come to the Museum, see if you can find animals from the groups on these pages. As you walk through the different mammal halls, try and spot other animals that have similar body structures, such as the coyote and the wolf.