Mammals (class Mammalia /məˈmeɪli.ə/ from Latin mamma "breast") are any members of a clade of endothermic amniotes distinguished from reptiles and birds by the possession of a neocortex (a region of the brain), hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands. The mammalian brain regulates body temperature and the circulatory system, including the four-chambered heart.
Mammals include the largest animals on the planet, the rorquals and other large whales, as well as some of the most intelligent, such as elephants, primates, including humans, and cetaceans. The basic body type is a four-legged land-borne animal, but some mammals are adapted for life at sea, in the air, in trees, or on two legs. The largest group of mammals, the placentals, have a placenta, which enables feeding the fetus during gestation. Mammals range in size from the 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) bumblebee bat to the 33-meter (108 ft) blue whale.
The word "mammal" is modern, from the scientific name Mammalia coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, derived from the Latin mamma ("teat, pap"). All female mammals nurse their young with milk, which is secreted from special glands, the mammary glands. According to Mammal Species of the World, 5,416 species were known in 2006. These were grouped in 1,229 genera, 153 families and 29 orders. In 2008 the IUCN completed a five-year, 1,700-scientist Global Mammal Assessment for its IUCN Red List, which counted 5,488 accepted species.
Mammal is a 2016 internationally co-produced drama film directed by Rebecca Daly. It was shown in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
Mammal is the self-titled debut Extended play (EP), by Australian hard rock band, Mammal from 2006. The band sold the EP independently at their live shows and on their website until early 2007 when they signed with Metropolitan Groove Merchants (MGM) to distribute it independently. The original version (no longer in print) was replaced by the MGM version, released in March. The EP peaked into the top 20 of the AIR Charts.
Mammal formed in Melbourne, Australia in March 2006 when vocalist Ezekiel Ox (ex-Full Scale Deflection, Full Scale) joined guitarist Pete Williamson (ex-Pete Murray & the Stonemasons) who was writing songs with session bass guitarist, Nick Adams; the trio were joined by drummer, Zane Rosanoski. In mid-2006 they entered the Sing Sing Studios to record their self-titled debut five-track Extended Play (EP), Mammal, which was sold independently at their live shows and on their website. By early 2007, they signed with Metropolitan Groove Merchants (MGM) which distributed their EP from March, which peaked into the top 20 of the AIR Charts.