mamífero
nounCEFR B2
What does “mamífero” mean in English?
a warm-blooded animal that breathes air, has hair or fur, and feeds its young with milk
Example sentences
Las ballenas son mamíferos marinos que deben salir a la superficie para respirar.
Whales are marine mammals that must surface to breathe.
El documental explora la vida de los grandes mamíferos que habitan la sabana africana.
The documentary explores the life of the large mammals that inhabit the African savannah.
How to use it
El mamífero (noun, masculine; cognate of 'mammal') names any animal in that biological class. Common collocations: mamíferos marinos (marine mammals), los grandes mamíferos africanos. Used mostly in scientific, educational or nature-documentary register.
Common mistake
Mamífero classifies an animal biologically (has fur, breathes air, feeds young with milk); it is not synonymous with animal in general — reptiles, birds and fish are animales but not mamíferos.
Topics
Related B2 words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Nociones específicas: naturaleza y me.