The Only Flying, The Only with Scales, Mammals with Four ‘Uniques’
As a mammal, it can secrete milk through mammary glands to feed its young. Mammals are diverse and widespread across the globe, existing on land, in water, and in the air. According to the Mammal Species of the World (2005) and the IUCN Red List (2008), the mammalian class currently has approximately 5676 (5488 in the 2008 edition) different species.
Among the many mammals, some animals always seem so unique and different, which has long attracted the attention of many scholars and scientists. Here are four 'unique' mammals in the mammalian world. How much do you know about them?
I. Bats: The only flying mammal
Everyone is familiar with bats, especially after the recent popularity of this species, which is a unique existence on Earth. In addition to possessing the characteristics of general mammals, bats have a series of morphological features adapted for flight. They are the only mammals that can truly fly. Moreover, bats have a special characteristic, that is, they hang upside down to sleep, which is the only phenomenon in the mammalian world, and nobody knows if their heads will become congested.
II. Pangolins: The only mammal with scales
When people hear of pangolins, they might immediately think of their incredible ability to dig holes. This ability is inseparable from their special body structure. Pangolins have plates of black-brown, tile-like scales covering their bodies, interspersed with coarse hair. These scales act as armor, providing pangolins with a sense of security. At the same time, the scales have made them the only mammals with scales. Once one of the most widely distributed animals, pangolins are now critically endangered species, and we hope they can all survive.
III. Yangtze River Dolphins: The only mammal living in the Yangtze River
Yangtze River dolphins were once a subspecies of the finless porpoise. Due to the fact that scientists identified a significant and stable genetic divergence between Yangtze River dolphins and East Asian dolphins, Yangtze River dolphins were upgraded to an independent species. Yangtze River dolphins look similar to dolphins and are commonly called 'Yangtze pigs'. They are mammals that live in the Yangtze River in China. Previously, the 'king of the Yangtze River' Chinese sturgeon was also highly regarded, but unfortunately, it did not make it to 2020. Now, Yangtze River dolphins are the only mammals in the Yangtze River. As of July 24, 2018, there are only about 1012 Yangtze River dolphins left, and we hope they will be cared for.
IV. Humans: The only mammal with high intelligence
Humans are high mammals and the only mammals that have evolved high intelligence on Earth. Dinosaurs lived on Earth for 100 million years before disappearing 65 million years ago, and humans, with only a few million years of history, have already evolved high intelligence and created material and spiritual civilizations in just a few thousand years. It is undeniable that humans are not only special in mammals, but also a unique and wonderful existence among all living things on Earth.
Besides bats, pangolins, Yangtze River dolphins, and humans, what other special mammals do you know? Where are they special? Welcome to leave a message to discuss. Watch more science and popular science fun knowledge, please follow 'Guo's Science'
