Mammals

Of the world's 4,600 species of living mammals (warm-blooded vertebrates which suckle their young), there are a total of 280 species in Malaysia, with 210 in Peninsular Malaysia and 220 in Sabah and Sarawak. The mammals of Malaysia range in size from the very large elephant to the tiniest of bats and mice.

Mammals occupy in Malaysia's rainforests—from bats, flying squirrels and the flying lemur in the tree tops to soil-burrowing mammals such as shrews, the moonrat and bamboo rats. At varied levels in the tree canopy are many more species, such as monkeys, cats and civets. Mammals living on the forest floor include the tiger and plant-eating species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros and the Malayan tapir. Each species makes its home close to its source of food. For example, primates are mostly move about during the day, while bats are mostly active at night.

While most Malaysian mammals are found in the lowlands. Many species occur in both regions, but some are found in only one. The tiger, for example, is found only in Peninsular Malaysia, while the orang utan, the western tarsier and the proboscis monkey are found only in Sabah and Sarawak.

Some Malaysian mammals are facing distinction. The Malayan tapir is related to the tapir of South America, but has distinctive black and white coloration. The orang utan is related to the African apes, but is the only ape which builds nests.

Some mammals are the heroes of legends; the mouse deer (Sang Kancil) is the most famous, with its uncanny ability to outwit even its largest opponent. Other mammals, such as wild pigs, provide food.

Characteristics

Common external features of a mammal.

Reproduction

Most mammals give birth to live young, but a few, lay eggs, and at least one of them, the platypus, presents a particular sex determination system that in some ways resembles that of birds. Some of the glands contained by mammals have specialized to produce milk, a liquid used by newborns as their primary source of nutrition.

Life Cycle of A Mammals