Scientific classification of a Centaur
By missak
@missak (3311)
Spain
March 26, 2009 8:36am CST
Today I was thinking of a silly reflection I wish to share with you...
A centaur is, according to popular mythology, a living being with a half human body and a half horse body so... we can easyliy think a being like that would be a mammal, right?
But then... when I studied science they told me there is another classification for the living beings with 6 extremities... an insect! an insect has also 3 major body parts: head, chest and abdomen, like the centaur!so... do you think a centaur is a mammal or an insect?1 person likes this
6 responses
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
27 Mar 09
Definitely a mammal, legs alone do not a species make. I may be wrong but aren't centipeds also insects with their many, many legs. Also, whales and dolphins are mammals and they have no legs as such. The method of reproduction as more with determining this classification difference than legs do. By the way your picture is like not mythological depiction of a centaur that I have ever seen.
@missak (3311)
• Spain
27 Mar 09
Well, the picture is only a curiosity, you can also check this one: http://www.mylot.com/w/image/2163310.aspx
About centipeds: they actually have only 6 real legs, the rest are "simulated" legs, that is why they are insects and not arachnids or such. To some extent, legs do determine classification, that is what make that scorpions, spiders, ticks and Dust Mites are the same classification.
@GardenGerty (157645)
• United States
27 Mar 09
Since a centaur has hair, and mammary glands, and non complex eyes, it is a mammal.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
27 Mar 09
Phew... good question, my friend. You've been in some deep thought! No, I wouldn't class a centaur as an insect. It's far too big and its diet would probably be entirely different. I'm not even sure about it being a mammal but would imagine that's the most likely group to put it in. Really, it's a fantasy creature as is a pegasus or unicorn, so I don't know that I would class it as a mammal really, merely a fantasy creature, alikened to the pegasus and unicorn.
Brightest Blessings.
1 person likes this
