Kangaroo Essay

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The mammal classification consists of certain characteristics that species must have to be in that category. Some of the characteristics that mammals must have are: middle ear bone, hair, and production of milk. Many species that fall into the classification of mammals, they range in size and weight, but they produce the three characteristics mentioned above. One is a kangaroo. A kangaroo is a part of the diprotodonts classification. Other mammals that are a part of the diprotodonts family are: possums and wallabies. Most diprotodonts have three pairs of incisors in their upper jaws. Diprotodonts have upper canines are present, but they vary in shape from low and smooth to having many sharp, curved ridges. (Myers, 2001, p. 1) In Australia, kangaroos are nearly 10 feet tall and with shearing teeth and retractile claws. (Myers, 2001. p. 1) Diprotodonts is the classification group that the kangaroos are under, but the family they belong to is the Macropodidae. Kangaroos have long, narrow hind feet and powerful hind limbs. The fourth toe of the hind foot is the longest and strongest. (Myers, 2001, para. 1) The kangaroo can go up to 50km and uses its tail for balance. An interesting observation is that they cannot walk backward. “Macropodids have a well developed pouch that opens anteriorly. Their reproductive cycle is characterized by a period of embryonic diapause, during which the blastocyst suspends implantation and development. At times, females of most species may be supporting young of 3 litters -- one in the uterus, one residing full-time in the pouch and attached to a nipple, and the third living out of the pouch but returning to nurse.” (Myers, 2001, para. 6) A kangaroo does have hair and does produce milk for its offspring. Dolphins are also considered mammals and are under the classification of Cetacea. Porpoises and whales are also under this classification. Cetacea are aquatic animals. Some of the characteristics of the cetacean mammals are streamlined body shape, no external claws, external nares (blowhole) on the top of the head, internal reproductive organs. They also have vestigial ear pinnae, basically a hairless body; expect young may have hair on their snout, a thick subcutaneous blubber layer filled with fat and oil. (Ellis. E, Poor, 2006, p.1) Bottlenose dolphins and Pacific striped dolphins are under the family, Delphinidae. Most dolphins have distinct beak slender, streamlined bodies. “The lower jaws are fused for less than 40% of the length of their rami. The upper toothrows diverge posteriorly. The teeth are peg-like, circular in cross section, and sometimes numerous.” (Ellis. E, Poor, 2006, p.1) Dolphins are very social and live in large groups. They are highly intelligent. Bottlenose dolphins are typically found in tropical warm temperature waters. Females will ovulate at a particular time of year, while males are active throughout the year. Dolphins will have one calf that they will carry for 12 months. Females nurse their young from nipples. (Jenkins, Myers, 2009, p.1) Dolphins and kangaroos both have reproduction systems in which they give birth to their offspring and nurse the female or male offspring. They are different animals, kangaroos live on dry land, and dolphins are aquatic animals that live in the water.
In the Insecta class, there are one million insects that have been name. It is assumed that there are some insects that haven’t even been recognized. “There is no general agreement on the details of how different groups of insects are related.” (Myers, 2001, P.1)
A butterfly is a part of the Lepidoptera family. Moths are also a part of this family. A description of a butterfly “adult butterflies have antennae, compound eyes, three pairs of legs, a hard exoskeleton, and a body that is divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and the abdomen. Uniquely, a butterfly's outer body is covered by tiny sensory hairs and the wings are covered by scales.”
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