Question

The marsupial mammal amongst the following is
A. Gibbar
B. Kangaroo
C. Lemur
D. Spiny ant-eater

Answer 1

Hint: Marsupial mammals are non-placental mammals which belong to infraclass Marsupialia or Metatheria. Female marsupials generally possess an external pouch known as marsupium. The newborns are attached to the nipples on the mother’s lower belly.

Complete answer:
Marsupial mammalian group belongs to the infraclass Metatheria - sometimes called Marsupialia. They are characterized by premature birth and continued development of the newborn while attached to the nipples on the mother's lower belly. The pouch also known as marsupium, is a flap of skin covering the nipples. It is not a universal feature, but prominent in many species. In some species the nipples are bounded by mere remnants of a pouch or fully exposed. The young mammal remains firmly attached to milk-giving teats for a period corresponding roughly to the latter part of development of the fetus in the womb of a placental mammal or eutherian.

The most varied and the largest assortment of marsupials—around 200 species is found in New Guinea, Australia and the neighboring islands. In addition to the larger species such as wallabies, wombats, kangaroos and the koala, there are numerous smaller forms also. Many of them are carnivorous, with the Tasmanian devil or the Sarcophilus harrisii being the largest of this group.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Because of their simpler brains, Marsupials are less intelligent than the placental mammals. Compared to that of placentals, the brain of marsupials differs markedly in both bulk and structure. It lacks corpus callosum - the part of the placental brain that connects the two cerebral halves.