I know that mammals are warm blooded creatures just wondered if there was an exception to the rule (as there always usually seems to be one).
2007-02-20 09:48:53 · 12 answers · asked by wickieuk 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
You're right that most of these rules tend to have exceptions. This is becoming especially true now that we're grouping animals more on DNA similarity and evolutionary background than gross physical characteristics. So even though being warm-blooded is pretty much part of the definition of being a mammal, this isn't necessarily a deal-breaker.
Unfortunately, the only exception right now is a semantic one. Arguably, to be warm-blooded a creature has to be able to regulate its own temperature... so arguably any dead mammal can no longer do this. This will not be a characteristic of the species so much, though, so it doesn't really count.
On the other hand, there is a reptile that's warm blooded - the leatherback sea turtle. And there are a number of mammilian species who are only barely warm-blooded. So again it's a demonstration that it's possible, if not currently existant.
2007-02-20 10:01:32 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Being warm-blooded is one of the things that makes a mammal a mammal. No exceptions.
2007-02-20 18:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by cytogirl1 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Part of the requirement of something being a mammal is that it is warm blooded. ALL mammals are warm blooded.
2007-02-20 17:56:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No known "cold-blooded" mammals have yet to be found. So, until then the answer is all mammals are warm blooded.
2007-02-20 17:51:52 · answer #4 · answered by mangamaniaciam 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
All mammals are warm-blooded - NO EXCEPTION (it's part of the definition of being a mammal)
2007-02-20 17:51:45 · answer #5 · answered by Kay 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am pretty sure since it is what we use to define what a mammal is there aren't any exceptions. It is like a vertebrate has to have a back bone. It is more semantics than science. If a mammal existed that didn't have hair or wasn't warmblooded it wouldn't be a mammal it would be something else.
2007-02-20 17:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by JC 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Nearly all mammals are warm-blooded, but there are a few exceptions.
The Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is the only example I'm familiar with, if others exist. It is cold-blooded in the sense it has no way to regulate it's body temperature, such as reptiles, and requires an environment with a specific heat in order to survive.
2007-02-20 17:58:46 · answer #7 · answered by anobeak 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Not that i know of. The monotremes (echidna and platypus) are unusual mammals, and operate at a much lower body temperature than other mammals.
2007-02-20 17:51:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I could be TOTALLY off, but it seems to me that a platypus is warm blooded and a mammal............
2007-02-20 19:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by Avon Lady 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your right all mammals are warm blooded mammals are able to maintain a constant body temperture of 98.6 degrees
2007-02-20 18:12:26 · answer #10 · answered by Sunfire666 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋