Every March, a team of researchers from Arizona State University choose 65 "combatants" from across the Tree of Life to face off in simulated battles the winner moves on to the next round, until there is only ONE CHAMPION.

There are two ways to lose:
1) Leave the field of battle (FORFEIT), or

2) fail to survive an encounter (TKO)

Great care is taken to consider all aspects of the combatant. Not only do you need to pay attention to what tools and skills the combatant has to fight, but you also need to consider its temperament, as well as its motivation to fight. An animal will not engage in combat if it has no reason to!

If an animal is likely to run away, then it will likely lose (via forfeit).

The team behind MMM analyzes both combatants, as well as the environment they find themselves in, to determine an ultimate probability of winning. From there, a random number generator is used to determine the winner.

Although the odds are scientifically determined, the random number generator allows for upsets to happen. Regardless of the outcome, stories are shared in a play-by-play style.

Dramatic reveals, plot twists, and real life events, pulled from scientific observations are used to explain the outcome of the combatant encounters.

Following along with the stories after every round brings March Mammal Madness to life!

For the first three rounds, the combatant with the higher seed gets home habitat advantage! So, when the narwhal (2nd seed) and the skunk (15th seed) face off in round one, they will meet in the Arctic Ocean (sorry skunk!)

This can obviously be a huge advantage for the higher seeds.

However, once we get to the Final Trait (final eight combatants), the habitants they will find themselves in will be randomly chosen between:

- SEA CAVE

- GEOTHERMAL WETLANDS

- SKY ISLANDS, or

- TEMPERATE BROADLEAF FORESTS

There's always more! For a full list of rules, make sure you check out all of the resources at:

https://libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalMadness

To sum up a few that may be important:

• One individual from the species is chosen. That individual is in peak combat condition.

• Each combatant present as you would find them in the month of March

• Injuries, meals, disease, and anything else acquired in one round travels with the combatant into the next round