Monotremes are mammals unique because of what behavior ?
Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs instead of giving live birth like other animals in the mammalian classification. They are currently only indigenous to Australia and New Guinea.
The known species of monotremes only include ; the Duck-billed Platypus and 4 different varieties of spiny ant-eaters (Echidnas).
The term monotreme is derived from the Greek terms ; "Monos" (Single) and "Trema" (Hole) which is in reference to the cloaca.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
43 Comments
Glenys Russell
Platypus and echidnas are the only animals to lay eggs and produce milk. That makes them the only animal that can make their own custard.
JRW
Drop duck-billed and spiny ant-eaters! They are the platypus and echidnas.
Also, how much can a koala bear?
Nick Hand
As an Australian, I've always said it: any biologists amongst the early settlers must have loved this country. Full of weird stuff like this.
Player
pamela h, it's funny to watch echidna with their babies running after them. Too cute
Player
Glenys Russell, Pigeons & doves can produce milk too.
Andy the educated troglodyte
Glenys Russell, and scrambled eggs....
dsneed
tesla alset, 👍
dsneed
Figured this one out. Yay me.
goplatinumone
I actually didn't know there exists some mammalian egg-layers! Live & Learn.
Melissa Collins
Dr. Bhoomz, the platypus is one of the two types of monotreme, the other being the echidna.
Melissa Collins
pamela h, They’re actually quite beautiful, both platypuses and echidnas.
Colin McPherson
They are as cool as! We had them on our farm- south west NSW, Australia.
Helen Allard
That's wild !!!
Annie
For some reason I knew this answer😳
jack patti go
I missed this! What a dork