for several months. It feeds on the mother’s
milk until it is fully developed. Marsupials
include kangaroos, koalas,
opossums, and others.
The platypus and echidnas are the only
mammals that lay eggs. After the young
hatch, they drink milk from their
mother, just as other mammals do.
Humans and Other Mammals
Humans have long depended on other
mammals for meat and milk. They also
have used mammals’ skins and hair for
clothing and other products. In addition,
people have domesticated, or
tamed, many mammals. Tamed horses
and other animals have provided transportation
and have helped in farm work.
Tamed cats and dogs have provided
companionship.
However, today many mammals compete
with humans for food or space. As a
result, many species of mammals have
died out or exist only in zoos. Other
Most mammals
pant to
avoid getting
too hot.
Humans and
some other
mammals also
get rid of heat
by sweating.
Some mammals, including
humans, are born helpless.
Other mammals have babies
that can walk within hours after
birth.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Mammal 37
types are now endangered because of
overhunting or the destruction of their
habitats.
..More to explore
Animal • Bat • Cat • Dog • Echidna
• Endangered Species • Gestation • Hair
• Hibernation • Horse • Marsupial
• Platypus • Primate • Rodent • Whale
Mammoth
..see Mastodon and Mammoth.
Managua
Population
(2005 estimate)
908,892
Managua is the capital of Nicaragua, a
country in Central America. It is the
largest city in Nicaragua. It lies on Lake
Managua.
Managua is Nicaragua’s center for education,
business, and manufacturing.
Many people in the city work in government
or business offices, banks, schools,
and hospitals. Factories in the city produce
such goods as oil, furniture, cloth,
chemicals, and foods.
Hundreds of years ago American Indians
settled a town on the site of what is now
Managua. Spain ruled the area from the
1500s until the early 1800s. Nicaragua
became an independent country in
1821. Managua became the country’s
capital in 1857.
Major earthquakes in 1931 and 1972
nearly destroyed Managua. Each time
much of the city had to be rebuilt. In
the late 1970s heavy fighting took place
in Managua between rebels and government
troops. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch
damaged many homes, farms, and roads
in and around Managua.
..More to explore
Nicaragua
Manama
Population
(2001 census)
143,035
Manama is the capital of the Middle
Eastern country of Bahrain. The city is
A view of Managua, Nicaragua, includes
Lake Managua in the background.
38 Mammoth BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
on Bahrain’s main island, which is also
named Bahrain. Manama is an important
port in the Persian Gulf. It is also
the country’s largest city.
The government of Bahrain has used
money from the oil industry to help
build the economy in Manama. The city
is a major center of banking in the
Middle East. Much of the country’s
business takes place in the city. Shipping
goods through the port also brings
money to Manama.
Arab Muslims have lived in Bahrain for
hundreds of years. Portugal ruled
Manama and the rest of Bahrain for
much of the 1500s. Persian rulers took
control of the area in 1602. In 1783 a
family from Arabia took control of
Bahrain. Great Britain began controlling
the country’s foreign affairs in the
1800s. In 1971 Bahrain became an
independent country with Manama as
its capital.
#More to explore
Bahrain
Manatee
Manatees are slow-moving mammals
that are shaped like seals. From a distance
they can look like a person who is
swimming. For this reason manatees
may have inspired people to create stories
about mermaids. Mermaids are
mythical creatures that are part human
and part fish.
Manatees live in rivers and shallow,
coastal waters. There are three species, or
types, of manatee. The Amazonian
manatee lives in the Amazon River and
other freshwater in South America. The
African manatee lives in tropicalWest
Africa. The Caribbean manatee is found
in Florida and theWest Indies.
Adult manatees may reach a length of 15
feet (4.6 meters) and a weight of 3,650
pounds (1,660 kilograms). They use
their flat, rounded tails to move forward.
Like all mammals, manatees have lungs.
In order to breathe, they must swim to
the water’s surface for air. Manatees are
herbivorous, meaning that they eat
The Grand Mosque in Manama, Bahrain,
can hold about 7,000 people.
A young manatee (left) swims with an adult
female manatee.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Manatee 39
plants. They use their flippers to push
the food toward their mouths.
Manatees live alone or in small family
groups. Females give birth to one calf, or
baby, every two to three years.
All three types of manatee are declining
in number. In some cases, the water
where they live has become polluted.
Many manatees have also been hurt or
killed by boat propellers. Most areas
now have laws protecting manatees.
Mandan
The Mandan are Native Americans who
traditionally lived along the Missouri
River in what is now North Dakota.
Today most Mandan live on a North
Dakota reservation with the Arikara and
Hidatsa peoples.
The Mandan traditionally lived in
dome-shaped, earth-covered homes
