Because it came up at the hash on Saturday, and because The Online Scum always aims not only to entertain, but also to educate . . . .The number and positioning of complex and simple mammary glands varies widely in different mammals. The nipples and glands can occur anywhere along the two milk lines, two roughly-parallel lines along the ventral aspect of the body. In general most mammals develop mammary glands in pairs along these lines, with a number approximating the number of young typically birthed at a time. The number of nipples varies from 2 (in most primates) to 16 (in pigs). The Virginia Opossum has 13, one of the few mammals with an odd number. The following table lists the number and position of glands normally found in a range of mammals:
| Species | Anterior (thoracic) | Intermediate (abdominal) | Posterior (Inguinal) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goat, sheep, horse guinea pig | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Cattle | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Cat | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Dog | 4 | 2 | 2 or 4 | 8 or 10 |
| Mouse | 6 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Rat | 6 | 2 | 4 | 12 |
| Pig | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
| Elephants, primates | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Has this lady been talking to Stick Insect by any chance?
ReplyDeleteHey, he had to buy her a drink and a half to get that shot!
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