MARCH MAMMAL MADNESS Facts of... · 2019. 6. 22. · Common Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus Species Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus Structural Adaptation - This animal had slender

Welcome to the 2018MARCH

MAMMAL

MADNESS

The AP Biology students have compiled some animal facts about all the

contenders in the 2018 MMM. Please use their information to help you select

animals for each level of your MMM bracket that your teacher has provided you.

The animal fact will include a photo, at least 1 adaptation, and their habitat, their

consumer and trophic levels. There’s a bracket outside on Room 408 that will

have up to date MMM information added to it as the game proceeds. Good luck

and may the most fit animal win!

Additional information can be found at this link https://mammalssuck.blogspot.cz/

Follow on Twitter @2018MMMletsgo Follow at #2018MMM

REMEMBER!! Brackets are due by the end of the day on MON, MARCH 12!

https://mammalssuck.blogspot.cz/

Division: AntecessorsMammals descended from Mammaliaformes

that descended from Therapsids that

descended from the Synapsids that emerged

over 300 million years ago. Among these fossils

species that “came before” are some of the

most spectacular creatures to have ever

roamed the Earth. We bring you the

ANTECESSORS DIVISION!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antecessor

Common Name: Doedicurus clavicaudatus

Species Name: Doedicurus clavicaudatus

Structural Adaptation - Bony armor

like an armadillo; Pestle tail (spiked)

that would swing at predators; stored

fat in hump (energy)

Biome/Habitat - Grasslands and

woodlands of South America

(Argentina)

Consumer type - Herbivore

Trophic level - Primary Consumer

Common Name: Amebelodon

Species Name: Amebelodon fricki

Structural Adaptation - two set of tusks,

one upper set like an elephant and one

lower set that extended from the jaw and

works like a shovel; a little smaller than an

elephant or mammoth

Biome/Habitat - Great Plains and Gulf

Coast regions of North America



Common Name: Dimetrodon limbatus

Species Name: Dimetrodon limbatus

Structural Adaptation - It had sails

on its back that may have helped it

control internal temperature.

Biome/Habitat - Thought to have

occupied warm, unobstructed regions.

Consumer type - Carnivorous

Trophic level - Tertiary consumer

Common Name: Andrewsarchus mongoliensis

Species Name: Andrewsarchus mongoliensis

Structural Adaptation - Considerable

size- estimates between 2,200 and

4,000 pounds. Large, sharp front teeth

and blunt, crushing cheek teeth

Biome/Habitat - Uncertain*

Consumer type - Most agree it’s

carnivorous, debates over an being

omnivor

Trophic level - Uncertain*

*little is known; only one skull was ever

found, and even that lacked a lower

jaw

Common Name: Thylacoleo carnifex (marsupial lion)

Species Name: Thylacoleo carnifex

Structural Adaptation - super strong,

size of lion, retractable claws

Biome/Habitat - Australia; dry open

woodlands and forests

Consumer type - carnivore

Trophic level - tertiary consumer

Common Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus

Species Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus

Structural Adaptation - This animal had slender

proportions with short legs that suggest it was agile

while climbing trees.

Biome/Habitat - North American forest and plains

Consumer type - Carnivore

Trophic level - Tertiary Consumer

Common Name: Thalassocnus

Species Name: Thalassocnus natans

Structural Adaptation - Were slightly larger than an

average human. Thick skinned, compact and long limb

bones and ribs. Bones are heavier than an average

mammal. Have large powerful claws in order to anchor

them to the sea level and long, wide snouts to better

eat sea plants. Are adapted for aquatic life and do not

have strong neck muscles.

Biome/Habitat - fossils found along the coast of Peru

and Chile

Consumer type - Herbivore: ate sea plants


Common Name: Secretary Bird

Species Name: Sagittarius serpentarius

Structural Adaptation - Body length of 4-5 feet and a

wingspan of 7 feet. Have the longest legs of any bird of prey.

Legs have heavy scales. Are the tallest raptor. They walk 12 to

18 miles a day and are excellent flyers. Sharp claws and long,

pointed beak.

Biome/Habitat - sub-saharan Africa and prefers savannas,

scrub, and grasslands

Consumer type - Carnivore: preys on small to medium sized

mammals such as hedgehogs, hares, snakes, tortoises, and

other birds

Trophic level - Secondary and tertiary consumers

Common Name: Homo floresiensis

Species Name: Homo floresiensis

Structural Adaptation - opposable

thumbs allow for more mobility and

possible uses, human-like teeth for

eating an assortment of materials

Biome/Habitat - found on Flores

Island in Indonesia

Consumer type - herbivore

Trophic level - secondary consumer

Common Name: Cynognathus crateronotus

Species Name: Cynognathus crateronotus

Structural Adaptation - Had wide

jaws and sharp teeth to better process

food, a secondary palate that allowed

it to swallow and breathe

simultaneously, and had an efficient

diaphragm

Biome/Habitat - southern

hemisphere, South Africa, South

America, Antarctica, and Western

Africa

Consumer type - predator


Common Name: Palaeoloxodon falconeri

Species Name: Palaeoloxodon falconeri

Structural Adaptation - Tusks to use as means of

attack; heavy mass

Biome/Habitat - Tropical; islands and the

Mediterranean


Trophic level - Primary consumer

Common Name: Giant Sloth Lemur

Species Name: Archaeoindris fontoynontii

Structural Adaptation - Extremely

large (bigger than a human), able to

climb trees to either escape or gain the

upper ground

Biome/Habitat - Rainforests of

Madagascar



Common Name: Procoptodon goliah

Species Name: Procoptodon goliah

Structural Adaptation - Three times

the size of Kangaroos today. Because

of this, they are the largest hopping

animal. Each foot has one large toe

and each front paw has 2 long fingers

with giant claws.

Biome/Habitat - Treeless, wind-blown

sand dunes



Common Name: Nuralagus rex

Species Name: Nuralagus rex

Structural Adaptation - large size

because of lack of predators on the

island; didn't need speed and agility

(about 50 lbs), curved toes used to dig

into the ground to unearth plant roots

Biome/Habitat - Tropics (Island of

Menorca from the Messinian)



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorcahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messinian

Common Name: Aegyptopithecus

Species Name: Aegyptopithecus zeuxis

Structural Adaptation - Average

modern day monkey size that can

swing from branch to branch. Has

impossible thumbs.

Biome/Habitat - Subtropical, seasonal

rainfalls

Consumer type - Omnivore

Trophic level - Secondary Consumer

Common Name: Deinogalerix koenigswaldi

Species Name: Deinogalerix koenigswaldi

Structural Adaptation - tail to aid with

climbing and anchor their body; large

jaw (about 8 inches)

Biome/Habitat - Tropics of Italy

(Island of Gargano); isolated from

mainland)



Common Name: Jugulator

Species Name: Jugulator amplissimus

Structural Adaptation - weighs

around 750 grams, glider ability, agile

climber, sharp larger molars

Biome/Habitat - Northwest America,

forested area with many trees



Division: Urban JungleSome species are incredibly adept at making

human habitats their own, such as bobcat,

raccoon, and coyote. These animals that not

only survive but thrive in suburbs and cities will

be honored in the URBAN JUNGLE Division!

http://www.hilariousgifs.com/raccoon-jump/

Common Name: Harar Hyena

Species Name: Crocuta crocuta

Structural Adaptation - sharp teeth

and strong jaws; they are meant to

consumer course food and crush

bones

Biome/Habitat - Savannas,

grasslands, woodlands, sub deserts;

Africa



Common Name: Chacma Baboons from Cape Town

Species Name: Papio ursinus

Structural Adaptation - Large, hairy,

terrestrial monkeys with a dog-like

face and prominent muzzle. Males

have sharp canine teeth and a dark

mane on the neck and shoulders.

Have long dexterous digits.

Biome/Habitat - They are common in

savannah woodland, sub-desert,

montane regions, and Succulent

Karoo areas of South Africa

Consumer type - omnivore


Common Name: Coyote

Species Name: Canis latrans

Structural Adaptation - fur had

different coloration based on its

environment for camouflage,

Biome/Habitat - native to North

America



Common Name: Berlin Boars

Species Name: Sus scrofa

Structural Adaptation - Thick skin allows them to withstand different types of insect bites and other injuries; Skin with

little blood supply so the don’t bleed out quickly; Sharp tusks to use in various offensive situations, and to find food

Biome/Habitat - Forest areas around Berlin, Germany (they are known for attacking people in the city) and other parts

of Central Europe, Asia, and South America



Common Name: Moscow Dogs

Species Name: Canis familiaris

Structural Adaptation - Sharp teeth in order to chew their prey or defend

themselves; Some have a water repellent coat and webbed feet that allow

them to swim, and can sometimes help in cold climates.

Biome/Habitat - Inner city of Moscow, Russia (others are known as a

common household pet around the world)



Common Name: Bobcat

Species Name: Lynx rufus

Structural Adaptation - Spotted

pattern for camouflage

Biome/Habitat - North America,

southern Canada, central Mexico


Trophic level - Secondary Consumers

Common Name: Racoon

Species Name: Procyon lotor

Structural Adaptation - dexterous hands for climbing and grasping,

solid bone structure to survive falls of up to 40 feet easily, capable of

running around 15 mph, and sharp claws and teeth

Biome/Habitat - Found commonly throughout North America, as well

as Canada, Mexico, and South America



Common Name: Bristol Foxes

Species Name: Vulpes vulpes

Structural Adaptation - strong

senses of sight, hearing, and smell.

Can run up to 30 mph

Biome/Habitat - diverse habitats -

tundra, desert, forest, city centers,

moorlands, mountains, farmlands



Common Name: Rhesus

Species Name: Macaca mulatta

Structural Adaptation - Advanced communication through both verbal

and nonverbal cues, opposable thumbs, & prehensile tails to grasp

objects

Biome/Habitat - They are able to adapt to many diverse habitats, from

forests to high elevations in the mountains, but are primarily found in

Northern India, Thailand, Vietnam, and South China



Common Name: Striped Skunk

Species Name: Mephitis mephitis

Structural Adaptation - The stripes on their back act as a warning for

predators to keep their distance and they have musk glands that allow

them to spray a fluid with a harsh smell

Biome/Habitat - Native to Southern Canada, The US and Northern

Mexico



Common Name: Sewer Rat

Species Name: Rattus norvegicus

Structural Adaptation - highly developed olfactory sense, advanced ears allow

it to hear ultrasound

Biome/Habitat - originated from Asia, spread across the world during middle

ages, live everywhere where humans live


Trophic level - Secondary consumer

Common Name: Possum

Species Name: Didelphis virginiana

Structural Adaptation - nocturnal

habits, small body size, high

reproductive output, short legs & thicc

bodies, specialized tail and feet for

climbing, enter a defensive catatonic

state or will bare teeth or flee, known

to be extremely slow and clumsy, can

un from 4.4 to 4.6 miles per hour

Biome/Habitat - North America,

stream/swamp, human altered areas,


Trophic level - primary and secondary

consumer

Common Name: Porcupine

Species Name: Erethizon dorsatum

Structural Adaptation - Sharp quills, long tails, underfur,

guard hairs, claws, teeth

Biome/Habitat - tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern

Europe, Africa, and North and South America. They live in forests

and deserts, and on rocky outcrops and hillsides. Some New

World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on

the rocks.

Consumer type - Herbivor


Common Name: Eastern Grey Squirrels

Species Name: Sciurus carolinensis

Structural Adaptation - Large and

bushy tail allows it to balance when

leaping across tree branches, also

acts as a distraction to predators; very

agile and active, can move quickly;

sharp incisor teeth and claws

Biome/Habitat - Oak and Hickory

forests in North America



Common Name: Common Hedgehog

Species Name: Erinaceus europaeus

Structural Adaptation - Sharp spikes,

Strong back muscles that allow it to

curl into a ball and stick it spikes

straight out as a defense mechanism

Biome/Habitat - Europe, Asia, Africa,

and New Zealand; make their home in

grass or holes underground



Common Name: Marmoset

Species Name: Callithrix jacchu

Structural Adaptation - Claw like nails; Very good eyesight,

hearing, and sense of smell; nimble-able to run around thin tree

branches very fast

Biome/Habitat - Various types of forest (mostly dry); average

temperature ranges from 75-79 degrees Fahrenheit; intense dry

season


Trophic level - Secondary

Division: When the Kat’s Away

An entire division of non-

mammals! It’s MMM gone wild!

Tardigrades survive in space!

Common Name: Orinoco Crocodile

Species Name: Crocodylus intermedius

Structural Adaptation - males can grow up to

17 feet long, relatively long snout to minimize

water resistance, wide jaw, and three color

variations: pale tan, yellowish, or dark brownish-

gray

Biome/Habitat - Freshwater environments of

Columbia and Venezuela



Common Name: Green Anaconda

Species Name: Eunectes murinus

Structural Adaptation - Use

constriction to slowly suffocate their

victims, Curved and sharp teeth to trap

prey, Jacobson’s Organ located at the

roof of the mouth to help with smell,

patten helps it hide from predators,

scales on the underside help it move

on land

Biome/Habitat - Tropical Rainforests

of the Amazon and Orinoco Basins- in

swamps, marshes, and slow-moving

streams



Common Name: Alligator Snapping Turtle

Species Name: Macrochelys temminckii

Structural Adaptation - Has a long, flexible neck and

sharp beak in order to reach its prey easier

Biome/Habitat - Rivers, lakes and canals of the

southeastern United States



Common Name: Komodo Dragon

Species Name: Varanus komodoensis

Structural Adaptation - Its saliva is

full of so many germs that most

animals it bites stand no chance at

survival.

Biome/Habitat - Both wet and dry

parts of indonesian islands, including

dense forestry and desert-like areas.

Consumer type - Carnivorous


Common Name: Eurasian Eagle Owl

Species Name: Bubo bubo

Structural Adaptation - wingspan

allows for long fast gliding; able to

adapt to different sized prey (small if

scarce and large it in abundance)

Biome/Habitat - mainly in mountain

regions and coniferous forest in

Eurasia



Common Name: Cookiecutter Shark

Species Name: Isistius brasiliensis

Structural Adaptation - This species of dogfish

live deep underwater in warm water places

around the world and have a cylindrical body

with a circular mouth that can literally cut holes

Biome/Habitat - Deep underwater in warmer

waters around the world and appear near

islands



Common Name: Fer-de-Lance

Species Name: Bothrops asper

Structural Adaptation - Venomous,

blends in well with many

environments, able to climb trees

quickly and ambush prey

Biome/Habitat - Tropical forests and

edges of savannas near the northwest

coast of South America and in Mexico



Common Name: Goliath Tarantula

Species Name: Theraphosa blondi

Structural Adaptation - Have inch

long fangs that paralyze victims when

injected into them (releases venom),

flick urticating hairs at any creature

that may be a threat, make noise when

threatened, and pounce prey.

Biome/Habitat - Rainforest regions of

northern South America. It lives in

burrows and under rocks and roots.



Common Name: Common Octopus

Species Name: Octopus vulgaris

Structural Adaptation - Eight arms

(simultaneous attacks), camouflage

(hide from opponents)

Biome/Habitat - Marine

Consumer type - marine carnivore

Trophic level - secondary

Common Name: Beaded Lizard

Species Name: Heloderma horridum

Structural Adaptation - has an overt

venom system, unsocketed teeth,

contains a hemotoxin, chews when it

bites

Biome/Habitat - Arid habitats such as

deserts and dry areas, southwestern

United States, western Mexico, and

Guatemala

Consumer type - Predator


Common Name: Horseshoe Crab

Species Name: Limulus polyphemus

Structural Adaptation - Multiple eyes, hard

shell, specialized appendages, and a primitive

immune-like response to bacteria

Biome/Habitat - Spawning adults prefer

sandy beaches near the water, while mature

adults live on both the beach and deep in the

ocean (especially off the Atlantic Coast)



Common Name: Mantis Shrimp

Species Name: Odontodactylus scyllarus

Structural Adaptation - bright &

colorful shell, eyes can detect 10X

more color than humans, can move

eyes independently, club-like

appendages can punch at the speed

of a .22 caliber bullet, breaks through

shell of crab/mollusk and glass, 2-7

inches long

Biome/Habitat - warm waters, Indian

& Pacific oceans, coral & rocks on

ocean floor



Common Name: Giant Salamander

Species Name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Structural Adaptation - Can breathe through the

wrinkled and porous skin, as it is an amphibian,

broader tail, good sense of hearing and smell, long

body, snout is more rectangular

Biome/Habitat - Underwater, in cold, fast flowing

mountain streams or lakes.



Common Name: Tardigrade

Species Name: tardigrade

Structural Adaptation - Respond to environmental stress through

cryptobiosis; metabolic activities come to a reversible standstill,

curl into little ball called tun to replace lost water.

Biome/Habitat - Aquatic and terrestrial environments, and even

where extremely harsh conditions are found

Consumer type - Different branches: carnivorous, omnivores, or

photophagous (can be a combination of all)


Wild Card Match UP

vs

Common Name: GoldCrest

Species Name: Regulus Regulus

Structural Adaptation - The smallest bird in the UK with a 9cm

body and a 14cm wingspan. They have thin beaks which are

best suited for picking up insects from in between pine needles.

Biome/Habitat - Found in coniferous woodlands and are

common within the UK. Migrates from Scandinavia and can be

found all the way towards Japan.

Consumer type - Insectivorous

Trophic level - primary consumer

Common Name: Praying Mantis

Species Name: Mantis religiosa

Structural Adaptation - Flexible neck

greatly enlarged forelegs adapted to

catch and grip prey

Biome/Habitat - Tropical

areas/regions, found in different

habitats, they are located in warm

areas such as rainforests, deserts,

grasslands, and meadowlands



Division: Great AdaptationsAll mammal species are unified in their

synthesis of milk to nourish, protect, and guide

newborn development. But some mammals

bring a little extra panache to the scene.

Maybe it’s a Swiss army nose, maybe it’s

venom, maybe it’s lathering your sides w/

chewed up poisonous tree bark (go maned

rat!). For them we bring you the more

Darwinian than Dickensian, GREAT

ADAPTATIONS Division!

Common Name: Coatimundi

Species Name: Nasua nasua

Structural Adaptation - Long tails

take up half of their body and their

long snouts allow them to find prey in

hard to reach places

Biome/Habitat - Tropical and

subtropical environment of the South

Americas



Common Name: Aye Aye

Species Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis

Structural Adaptation - Long, thin fingers to find food,

large ears, large front teeth to gnaw at wood and break

nuts, claws adapted for climbing, big eyes to help hunt at

night

Biome/Habitat - Rainforests of Madagascar



Common Name: Pygmy Hippo

Species Name: Choeropsis liberiensis

Structural Adaptation - Smooth, greenish black skin--

>lets them stay cool in humid environments; blood

sweat (protects against sunburn); semi-aquatic; less

webbed feet (better for walking on land than regular

hippos)

Biome/Habitat - Internal forests and swamps of West

Africa


Trophic level - Primary

Common Name: Solenodon

Species Name: Solenodon paradoxus

Structural Adaptation - flexible snout, venomous, claws

Biome/Habitat - The Haitian solenodon is found in forests

and brush country, as well as around plantations. It is mainly

nocturnal, hiding during the day in rock clefts, hollow trees, or

burrows which it excavates itself.

Consumer type - carnivore/insectivore


Common Name: Maned Rat

Species Name: Lophiomys imhausi

Structural Adaptation- long haired,

bushy tailed, resembles a porcupine

Biome/Habitat - Found in dry forests

of south Sudan and in isolated

mountain woodlands of Tanzania,

Consumer type -Omnivores


Common Name: Crabeater Seal

Species Name: Lobodon carcinophaga

Structural Adaptation - Special Teeth

allowing them to break the hard shells

of crabs.

Biome/Habitat - Antarctica


Trophic level - Third Level consumer

Common Name: Desman

Species Name: Galemys pyrenaicus

Structural Adaptation - Tubular

Muzzel, Webbed Toes

Biome/Habitat - Semi-Aquatic lives in

Europe

Consumer type - Insectivores

Trophic level - Secondary

Consumers

Common Name: Platypus

Species Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Structural Adaptation - Streamline

body and a broad flat tail, covered with

dense waterproof fur

Biome/Habitat - In freshwater

systems, in tropical rainforest lowlands

to far northern Queenslands, and in

high altitudes of Tasmania and the

Australian Alps

Consumer type- Carnivore

Trophic level -Secondary Consumer

Common Name: Fat-tailed Dunnart

Species Name: Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Structural Adaptation - Uses a daily

torpor which lowers the body

temperature and metabolic rate in

order to reduce energy usage, Has

specialised sharp teeth to grind prey

into small pieces, Large eyes and

ears, Carrot-Shaped, Swollen Tail

Biome/Habitat - Most regions of

Australia-grasslands, shrublands and

farmlands



Common Name: Water deer

Species Name: Hydropotes inermis

Structural Adaptation - tusks, powerful hind legs, no antlers

Biome/Habitat - China and Korea, live alongside rivers, mountains,

swamps and grasslands,

Consumer type - herbivore


Common Name: Ghost Bat

Species Name: Macroderma gigas

Structural Adaptation - flight

membranes, used for flying and to

capture prey by wrapping it up

Biome/Habitat - Arid zones, tropical

savanna, savanna woodlands,

rainforests



Common Name: Star-nosed mole

Species Name: Condylura cristata

Structural Adaptation - Each nose

tentacle has around 25,000 sensory

receptors so it can identify and kill prey

in milliseconds; water repellent fur; can

smell and hunt underwater; extremely

fast at foraging and consuming prey

(Guinness World Record)

Biome/Habitat - Wet Lowland Areas

of East North America



Common Name: Edible Dormouse

Species Name: Glis glis

Structural Adaptation - Sticky paws

to climb trees to get away from

predators, detachacble tails to easily

escape from a predator if a predator

grabs its tail, grey fur to blend into

trees.

Biome/Habitat - They live in heavily

forested areas with rocky cliffs and

caves, but can be found on sea levels.



Common Name: Tasmanian Devil

Species Name: Sarcophilus harrisii

Structural Adaptation - Squat, Thick build, Large

Head, Tail about half its body length, Longer front

legs than back legs, Has one of the most powerful

bites in the animal world due to its muscular jaw,

Good tree climbers, Long whiskers help them

locate prey in the dark, or when detecting other

devils are close during feeding, When agitated, the

can produce a pungent odor, Good sense of sight,

hearing, smell, touch, and taste

Biome/Habitat - Island State of Tasmania,

Australia- coastal scrub and forest areas

Consumer type - Largest Surviving Carnivorous

Marsupial


Common Name: Jaguarundi

Species Name: Puma yagouaroundi

Structural Adaptation - Long tail

allows them to climb trees; good

swimmer; camouflaging effect from

their coat colors; able to jump very

high, often catching birds to eat;

similar to a house cat

Biome/Habitat - Variety of habitats

from Central to South America,

grasslands, tropical forests, thickets,

scrubland, etc. (prefer to leave near

water)



Common Name: Cheetah

Species Name: Acinonyx jubatus

Structural Adaptation - Body is

thinner and lighter than the big cats,

tough foot pads for running on rough

surfaces, longer legs

Biome/Habitat - Plains of Southern,

North, and East Africa


Trophic level - Tertiary

Documents

MARCH MAMMAL MADNESS Facts of... · 2019. 6. 22. · Common Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus Species Name: Pseudaelurus quadridentatus Structural Adaptation - This animal had slender