Home Animals Mammalia Fact Files

Possums, bats, whales and other mammals - Mammalia

Sydney is home to a range of mammal species, both native and introduced. Some species have adapted extremely well to sharing their environment with the most abundant mammal in Sydney - humans. Others have not fared so well and, since European settlement, 60% of the original number of mammals is now considered endangered or vulnerable.

Mammals are divided into three groups - monotremes, marsupials and placentals. The Platypus and echidnas are monotremes and the females lay soft-shelled eggs. Marsupials give birth to small, poorly developed young and most female marsupials, such as kangaroos, wallabies and the Koala, have pouches. Placental mammals, like humans, rodents and bats, differ from monotremes and marsupials in that they generally give birth to well-developed young.

Mammals are a diverse group, but all mammals

• produce milk to feed their young
• have hair or fur
• have a unique jaw structure
• are warm-blooded.

Other Links:

• Australian Museum Mammal Database of Sydney Region
• Mammals of Sydney Harbour