Mammals

Scientifically-speaking there are 11 mammal groups, and most Mammals are warm-blooded, have body hair, give live birth and nurse their young with milk from mammary glands. Check out these articles about all kinds of mammals.

Topics to Explore

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Why do tigers swim?

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What Is a Coywolf?

They have been called both “coywolf” and “coydog,” but the majority of the scientific community recognizes this hybrid animal simply as the “eastern coyote.”

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 23, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

Elk Are Huge, Aggressive and Unpredictable

Elk are some of the most majestic animals in the world, but also some of the most aggressive. Here's what you need to know about the territorial elk.

By Patty Rasmussen Jan 21, 2020 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

The Smiley Quokka Is an Australian Super Survivor

The smallest of the wallaby species is known to pose for selfies with tourists and be cuter than cute. But the feisty quokka has had to fight for its very survival.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 16, 2020 Mammals / Marsupials

Cheetahs: The Big Cats That Can Totally Pass You on the Interstate

With lightning speed and incredible vision, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth and the best hunter on the savanna.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 9, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

The Tiny Fennec Fox Is All Ears

It may be the world's smallest fox, but its ears give it a huge hearing advantage.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jan 6, 2020 Mammals / Other Mammals

Lions, Tigers and … Ligers? Oh My!

Whaddya get when you cross a lion and a tiger? Yep — you get a liger, of course. But why are they considered controversial?

By Wendy Bowman Jan 2, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

Lions: 5 Roaring Facts About the King of the Beasts

The proverbial "king of the beasts," lions are second in size to just one other cat in the world, the tiger. But a lion's biggest fear? Tangling with a porcupine the size of a small dog.

By Mark Mancini Mammals / Carnivores

What Do Reindeer Do When They're Not Pulling Santa's Sleigh?

Reindeer are, of course, best known for their main gig om Christmas Eve every year, but there's more to them than just their flying and sleigh pulling prowess.

By Laurie L. Dove Dec 16, 2019 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

How Dangerous Is the Beaver?

Beaver attacks get a lot of media attention but are beavers really crazed killers that we should be afraid of? And what good do they really do?

By Nathan Chandler Dec 6, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

8 Cuddly Facts About Koalas

They look so cute and fluffy, but koalas have a fierce side too. Still, their biggest threat to survival is mankind.

By Alia Hoyt Dec 2, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

9 Big Hairy Facts About Gorillas

Gorillas can live to be about 35 to 40 years old and are much gentler (and much sleepier) than you might think.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 26, 2019 Mammals / Primates

Goofy-looking Emus Are Leggy, Flightless and Very Friendly

The female emu may lay the eggs, but the male emu does all the caretaking. And that's just one fascinating thing we learned.

By Patty Rasmussen Nov 22, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Pangolins: The Gentle, Ant-eating Oddballs of Africa and Asia

They're weird-looking and mild-mannered, but Asian and African markets can't get enough illegal pangolin scales.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 12, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Raccoons Are Super Smart Urban Survivors

They're the cutest and most curious masked mammals around. But they also have a reputation for being a nuisance. Here's everything you need to know about the raccoon.

By Meg Sparwath Nov 8, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Sea Otters Are the Party Animals of the Sea

Sea otters are adorable, back from the brink of extinction and will totally bite you.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 7, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Meet the Real Vampires of the Animal Kingdom

Move over Dracula. These fish, birds and bats really are the vampires of the animal world — and they do need to eat (or suck) blood to sustain life.

By Mark Mancini Oct 28, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

It's a Manatee's Life: Swim, Eat, Rest, Repeat

Manatees can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and reach 10 feet in length, but they're so gentle and sweet they'll break your heart.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 21, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Bobcats Are Back From the Brink (and Possibly in Your Backyard)

It turns out that bobcats do just fine if not actively hunted by humans.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 30, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores

How Humans Have Made a Mess of Mink

The wars between mink species and humans quietly rage worldwide.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 23, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Coyotes: The 'Song Dogs' of North America

Though ol' Wile E. never did catch the Road Runner, coyotes are some of the most ingenious and adaptable animals on the planet.

By Tara Yarlagadda Sep 17, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores

The Wild History of the Texas Longhorn

These impressive and intimidating animals have an illustrious past that helped them wend their way through America and settle in the heartland of the South.

By Mark Mancini Sep 13, 2019 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

Wolverines Are Superhero Survivor Weasels

Wolverines, also known as "stink bears" because of the powerful smell they emit, are the ultimate cold weather survivors — cagey, smart and omnivorous.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 10, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Groundhogs Are More Than Just Meteorologists

Groundhogs don't actually make great weathermen, but they are pretty cool in every other respect.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 5, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

When Kinkajous Don't Play Nice

Kinkajous, or honey bears, are generally docile creatures, but they definitely don't mix well with humans.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 30, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Jackals: Canine Survivors and Tricksters of Folklore

Jackals, formidable members of the canine family, are often portrayed in traditional world folklore as wily tricksters, up to no good. They are actually brilliant survivalists.

By Tara Yarlagadda Aug 27, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores