Mammals [antikvár]

m mm mWi Introduction rl * • The immense variety of the mammal class is a never-ending source of wonder. Some of these animals hold a fascination because of their appealing physical characteristics, such as the seals, pandas and bears; others attract attention because of their size, such as whales and elephants. There are also those that invoke admiration through their movements; for instances, the acrobatic monkeys, playful dolphins, elegant gazelles and lithesome cats. Other mammals, bats and rats for example, are regarded with distaste for real or imaginary reasons. Yet there are thousands of mammals that are frequently overlooked. They are small, V-Vs^V'' -i' ^ -'^i ^^cretive and very often active only at night. , -'.¦.'f' Many of these mammals are being subjected to studies lasting several years, which shows the complexity of their private lives. Mammals are the most intelligent of animals. Their capacity to learn and their ability to adapt to changing environments results in a richness and variety of habits not seen in other species. The following pages introduce the basic biology of mammals, together with surveys of certain groups and inhabitants of particular habitats.