Behavior
Mammalian behavior varies substantially among species. As endotherms, mammals require more energy intake than ectotherms of a similar size, and mammalian activity patterns reflect their high energy demands. For example, thermoregulation plays an important role in dictating mammalian behavior. Mammals that live in colder climates must keep warm, while mammals that live in hot, dry climates must keep cool and conserve water. Behavior is an important way for mammals to help maintain physiological balance.
There are mammal species that exhibit nearly every type of lifestyle, including fossorial, aquatic, terrestrial, and arboreal lifestyles. Locomotion styles are also diverse: mammals may swim, run, bound, fly, glide, burrow, or climb as a means of moving throughout their environment.
Social behavior varies considerably as well. Some mammals live in groups of tens, hundreds, thousands or more individuals. Other mammals are generally solitary except when mating or raising young.
Activity patterns among mammals also cover the full range of possibilities. Mammals may be nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular. (Vaughan, et al., 2000)
Mammalian behavior varies substantially among species. As endotherms, mammals require more energy intake than ectotherms of a similar size, and mammalian activity patterns reflect their high energy demands. For example, thermoregulation plays an important role in dictating mammalian behavior. Mammals that live in colder climates must keep warm, while mammals that live in hot, dry climates must keep cool and conserve water. Behavior is an important way for mammals to help maintain physiological balance.
There are mammal species that exhibit nearly every type of lifestyle, including fossorial, aquatic, terrestrial, and arboreal lifestyles. Locomotion styles are also diverse: mammals may swim, run, bound, fly, glide, burrow, or climb as a means of moving throughout their environment.
Social behavior varies considerably as well. Some mammals live in groups of tens, hundreds, thousands or more individuals. Other mammals are generally solitary except when mating or raising young.
Activity patterns among mammals also cover the full range of possibilities. Mammals may be nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular. (Vaughan, et al., 2000)