Category: Mammals
Like all lemurs, this easily recognized primate is native to the island of Madagascar. They are omnivorous, diurnal, and the most terrestrial of the lemur species. They are highly social and may live in female dominated groups of up to 30 individuals. Their species name, catta, makes reference to their feline form and purring vocalizations reminiscent of domestic cats.
A 200 Million Year-old Iconoclast
If a defining trait of mammals is that they give live birth to their young, how do you explain monotremes? Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs like a reptile, rather than giving birth to live young. Living examples of these unusual animals can only be found in Australia and New Guinea today, though they used to be more widespread. A monotreme egg has less yolk for supplying nutrients than a reptile egg, and when a young echidna or platypus hatches, it is very tiny and less developed than its reptile counterpart. But monotreme babies are able to grow and thrive because their mothers stay with them, lactating to supply vital nutrients for their growth - just like other mammals!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
