Zoology
Mammal
A warm-blooded vertebrate characterized by hair or fur, mammary glands that produce milk, and typically live birth. About 6,400 species exist, from shrews to whales.
Biological Context
Mammals maintain constant body temperature through internal metabolism (endothermy). Extended parental care, facilitated by milk production, enables learning and behavioral flexibility. Mammals occupy diverse niches—terrestrial, aquatic, aerial—on every continent.
Business Application
Mammalian business strategies: high parental investment in fewer offspring (products), extended development periods, emphasis on learning and adaptation. Contrasts with r-strategist approaches of many offspring with minimal investment.