Mammals are the most adaptable animals on earth. They can be found on every continent, in every ocean, and even in the air. They can be as small as a bumblebee bat or as large as a blue whale.  

What is a mammal? They are warm-blooded vertebrates (having backbones) and they almost always give birth to young, except for a few species who lay eggs. Despite the many different species of mammals, they all have a few things in common: They all have hair, mammary glands, a hinged jaw and three tiny middle ear bones.  

However there are many things that make mammals different from one another. They can move by walking, climbing, swimming, flying, or jumping. They can be carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, or insectivores. Many of the animals are terrestrial, spending the majority of their life on the ground, while others are arboreal and spend their time in the trees.  

Unfortunately many mammal species are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human encroachment. Rolling Hills Zoo participates in a number of conservation programs to help protect some of these amazing animals in their wild homes. You can read more about some of the mammals found at Rolling Hills Zoo by clicking on one of the pictures at the right.