Do you think you know what makes you a mammal-WRONG! You're making that word association-mammals-mammary glands, i.e. nipples. I know, me too. But not all mammals have mammary glands or nipples. I know, I know. Take a deep breath, try to walk it off. Evidently we get the term from a doctor in the 18th Century obsessed with breasts. A male obsessed with breasts enough to name the whole species (I know don't write me, whatever you call it) after them! Yep. (Really, are you that surprised?) According to a report by Nell Boyce, there's a wagon-load of stuff that makes mammals unique but producing milk ain't it. (Shh, don't tell the cows. They'll have a .. well, you know.) Evidently, this guy was trying to stop wet nursing ( having someone else breast feed your baby) because some women took on more babies than they could feed, babies died, etc. I'm sure it was purely a coincidence that women were also advocating for more rights at that time. Yeah, that's just me making a mountain out of a mammary gland. If you have a chance, listen to the story because what DOES make you a mammal may surprise you. It did me.
Jann
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