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 Archaelurus debilus
© 2000 public domain
 Equus caballus
© 2004 UCMP
 Castorid
© 2004 Michigan State University Museum |
What are Placentals? Placental mammals are the most diverse group of mammals. Some can fly (bats, colugos, and flying squirrels), and others swim (whales, dolphins, and manatees), but the majority live on land, like elephants, sloths, horses, dogs, sheep, rodents, primates, and many more. Despite this diversity, many groups of placentals have gone extinct, such as the Creodonta, Condylarthra, Desmostylia, and Embrythopoda. In placental mammals, the embryo develops internally in an organ called the placenta that provides gas exchange, nourishment, and waste removal for the embryo. First known fossil occurrence: Cretaceous. Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives. Cool Placentals links: Search for images of Placentals on Google |
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