MARSUPIALS Meaning and
Definition
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Marsupials are a distinct group of mammals characterized by a unique reproductive system and the presence of a pouch in females, in which they carry and nurse their underdeveloped young. This diverse order of mammals is primarily found in the Australasian region, including Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands, although a few species are also found in the Americas.
One of the key distinguishing features of marsupials is their reproductive strategy. Instead of possessing a placenta that nurtures the developing fetus internally, marsupials give birth to relatively immature offspring. These newborns, called joeys, are usually born at a very early stage of development and continue to develop within the mother's pouch, where they latch onto a teat for nourishment. This distinct method of reproduction allows marsupials to have a shorter gestational period compared to placental mammals.
Marsupials display a wide range of physical characteristics and behaviors. They come in various sizes, from the small and agile sugar gliders to the large and iconic kangaroos. With over 330 species, their habitats range from open grasslands to dense forests and even snowy mountain ranges. Additionally, they exhibit a wide range of dietary preferences, including herbivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous feeding habits.
Overall, marsupials are a biologically diverse group of mammals that possess unique reproductive adaptations, including a pouch for carrying and nurturing their young. They have successfully adapted to various ecological niches and play integral roles in the ecosystems they inhabit.
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Animals that carry their young in a pouch, as the opossum and kangaroo.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for MARSUPIALS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MARSUPIALS
- marsupiala
- marsupiate
- narsupials
- karsupials
- jarsupials
- mzrsupials
- msrsupials
- mwrsupials
- mqrsupials
- maesupials
- madsupials
- mafsupials
- matsupials
- ma5supials
- ma4supials
- maraupials
- marzupials
- marxupials
- mardupials
- mareupials
- Marsupillo
Etymology of MARSUPIALS
The word "marsupials" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin term "marsupium", which means "pouch" or "bag". The suffix "-al" is added to convert the word to an adjective form, indicating that the animal possesses a pouch. Hence, "marsupials" refers to a group of mammals that have a distinctive pouch where they carry and nurse their underdeveloped young.
Similar spelling words for MARSUPIALS
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