Mammals are a diverse group of animals that share several common characteristics. These include being warm-blooded, having a backbone, and typically giving birth to live young. Mammals also have hair or fur covering their bodies and most of them have specialized teeth for different functions such as biting, tearing, and grinding food. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from the ocean to the desert, and from forests to grasslands.
Birds are a group of animals with feathers, a beak, and the ability to lay eggs. They have a lightweight skeleton which is adapted for flight, though not all birds can fly. Birds are found in a wide range of environments and have a diverse range of beak shapes and sizes, each adapted for different feeding habits and diets.
Characteristic | Mammals | Birds |
---|---|---|
Body covering | Hair or fur | Feathers |
Method of reproduction | Live birth | Egg-laying |
Skeleton | Solid bones | Lightweight bones |
Feeding habits | Diverse diets | Varied beak shapes for different feeding habits |
Here are some questions to test your understanding of mammals and birds:
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