marine mammal

Marine mammals are a group of mammals adapted to live in the ocean, meaning they breathe air, give birth to live young, and nurse their babies with milk. Examples include whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and the manatee. They possess features like streamlined bodies for swimming, lungs for breathing at the surface, and in some cases, thick blubber for insulation in cold waters. Unlike fish, they are endothermic, maintaining a constant internal body temperature. Marine mammals play vital roles in ocean ecosystems and are protected due to their environmental importance and vulnerability to threats like pollution and hunting.