Marine mammal

Marine Mammal

Marine Mammal (pronunciation: /məˈriːn ˈmæməl/) is a term used to describe a diverse group of mammals that have adapted to life in the marine environment.

Etymology

The term "Marine Mammal" is derived from the Latin words "marinus" meaning "of the sea" and "mammalis" meaning "of the breast".

Definition

Marine mammals are a diverse group of approximately 130 species of mammals that are primarily ocean-dwelling or depend on the ocean for food. They include animals such as seals, whales, dolphins, manatees, and sea otters.

Characteristics

Marine mammals share several characteristics that are not found in their terrestrial relatives. These include adaptations to enable them to dive, navigate and forage in a water environment, and to regulate their body temperature in a different way from terrestrial mammals.

Classification

Marine mammals belong to three taxonomic Orders: Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises; Pinnipedia, which includes seals, sea lions and walruses; and Sirenia, which includes manatees and dugongs. Some marine mammals, such as the sea otter (Mustelidae), belong to other Orders.

Conservation

Many species of marine mammals are threatened or endangered due to human activities such as hunting, fishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are being made to protect these species and their habitats.

Related Terms

• Cetacean
• Pinniped
• Sirenian
• Aquatic Mammal
• Marine Biology
• Marine Conservation

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Marine mammal
• Wikipedia's article - Marine mammal

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