Which defining feature confirms the chinchilla's classification within the class Mammalia?
Answer
Female chinchillas nourish their young with milk produced by mammary glands
Classification within the class Mammalia is based on several fundamental vertebrate traits, all of which the chinchilla shares. These include being warm-blooded (maintaining a constant internal body temperature) and possessing hair or fur covering their bodies. However, the single characteristic highlighted as a defining feature of the class is the presence of mammary glands in females, which are used to produce milk to nourish their young post-birth. This feature distinguishes mammals from other vertebrate classes like reptiles or birds, confirming the chinchilla's fundamental grouping.
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