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Classification of the Yellow Mongoose

The scientific name of my species is the Cynictis penicillata, and the common name is the Yellow Mongoose. 

                                               Kingdom: Animalia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zoo.fox.jpg (zoo fox kingdom animalia)

The Kingdom Animalia consists of all organisms that are considered animals.  Some common themes of  most animals are that they lack cell walls, are diploids, have tissues make up organs, most are capable of complex rapid movement, and lastly most reproduce sexually.

                                                     Phylum: Chordata  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haikouella.png (chordata)

Organisms belonging to the Phylum Chordata are described as having a structure called a notochord.  A notochord is a flexible rod like structure that is in chordates. Some other characteristics of chordates are: triploblastic or possess three germ layers, bilaterally symmetrical, have a complete digestive system, and have a segmented body.

                                                          Class: Mammalia  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaguar_edin_zoo.jpg (jaguar mammalia)

The Class Mammalia has three traits that no other organisms have.  They have middle ear bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup), hair, and they produce milk by sweat glands called mammory glands.

                                                                 Order: Carnivora  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canis_lycaon.jpg ( carnviora wolf)

Most of the order Carnivora are carnivorous.  This means they eat other organisms or meat.

                                                                      Family: Herpestidae  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mongoosemarlon.jpg (family herpestidae mongoose)

The Family Herpestidae consists of the mongooses.  Some traits shared among mongoose are they are predators, have long, flattened skulls, and are terrestrial.

                                                                           Genus: Cynictis  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mangusta_li%C5%A1%C4%8D%C3%AD_2.jpg (genus cynictis)

There is only one species under the genus Cynictis.

                                                                              Species: Cynictis penicillata  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mangusta_li%C5%A1%C4%8D%C3%AD_1.jpg (species cynictis penicillata)

This is the yellow mongoose's latin scientific name.  It means yellow mongoose.

Take a look at its phylogeny!