What makes a mammal a mammal? The answer is more complicated than you
think!
I, Mammal is a history of mammals and their ancestors and of how
science came to grasp mammalian evolution. After a misdirected football
left new father Liam Drew clutching a uniquely mammalian part of his
anatomy, he decided to find out more. Considering himself as a mammal
first and a human second, Liam delves into ancient biological history to
understand what it means to be mammalian.
In his humorous and engaging style, Liam explores the different
characteristics that distinguish mammals from other types of animals. He
charts the evolution of milk, warm blood and burgeoning brains, and
examines the emergence of sophisticated teeth, exquisite ears, and
elaborate reproductive biology, plus a host of other mammalian
innovations. Entwined are tales of zoological peculiarities and
reflections on how being a mammal has shaped the author's life.
In celebrating our mammalian-ness, Liam Drew binds us a little more
tightly to the five and a half thousand other species of mammal on this
planet and reveals the deep roots of many traits humans hold dear.