In zoology, mammalogy is the study of mammals, a class of vertebrates with characteristics such as homeothermic metabolism, fur, four-chambered hearts, and complex nervous systems. Mammalogy has also been known as "mastology," "theriology," and "therology."
Three major subdivisions of mammals are monotremes, marsupials and placentals. An important characteristic for classifying mammals is their dentition: this is because teeth survive the longest after an animal's death. Humans are classified in the subdivision of placentals.
Mammalogy branches off into other taxonomically-oriented disciplines such as primatology (study of primates), cetology (study of cetaceans), equinology (or hippology, study of horses), and cynology (study of dogs).
See also Important publications in mammalogy
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