By In 1603, Sebastian Vizcaino led three Spanish ships into Monterey Bay on an exploratory mission. The Monterey County landscape has changed dramatically since the arrival of the first European explorers, and much of our natural heritage has been lost or severely reduced, but there are still places which have survived relatively intact where we can get a glimpse into the past. Point Lobos State Reserve is one of the most easily accessible areas for the casual visitor or even the longtime resident to observe much of the remaining wildlife and natural beauty of our areas. The group of animals which we call mammals began to evolve about 185 million years ago, during the time when the dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates on our planet. Since that time, mammals have adapted and evolved to inhabit every major surface environment on the planet, and, of course, have given rise to its dominant species-ourselves.
Mammals breathe air with lungs.
Mammals have true fur. Mammals produce milk for their young from mammary glands. Whose Home Is in Our Area Monterey County is home to about 95 species of terrestrial and marine mammals, ranging from some very common species to some exceptionally rare ones. Seven species have been introduced to the county in historic times, either as unwanted pests or as furbearers. While none of these species is extinct, their loss from our natural biota is unfortunate, We hope this loss will not be duplicated by any of the remaining native mammals.