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The platypus and echidna are unusual mammals because they are the world's only known monotremes, i.e. egg-laying mammals. Though egg-layers, they are classified as mammals because the young suckle mothers' milk.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe platypus and the echidna are unusual mammals because they are egg-laying mammals. All other mammals give live birth, but the echidna and the platypus belong to a unique group known as monotremes, which give live birth but still nurture their young on mothers' milk, which is the defining characteristic of a mammal.
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Why are the platypus and echidna unusual?
The platypus and echidna are unusual because they are the world's only known monotremes, which means they are egg-laying mammals. Though egg-layers, they are classified as mammals because the young suckle mothers' milk.
What characteristic of the platypus and echidna is very unusual among animals?
They are egg-laying mammals.
Why is the echidna unusual among mammals in the way its baby is produced?
The echidna, like the platypus, is unusual because it lays eggs, rather than producing live young.
Why are the platypus and echidna not recognised as egg laying mammals?
The platypus and echidna are recognised as egg-laying mammals. They are monotremes, which are egg-laying mammals.
Is platypus oviparous or viviparous?
The Platypus and the Echidna are the only mammals that are Oviparous.
Are mammals born in eggs?
Most mammals are not hatched from eggs. Only the monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, reproduce by external eggs. Monotremes include just the platypus, the long-beaked echidna and the short-beaked echidna.
Is an echidna the only egg laying marsupial?
The echidna is a monotreme, which is an egg-laying mammal. Most mammals give live birth, but only the echidna and platypus are egg-laying mammals.
What are the other mammals that are egg-laying mammals?
The egg-laying mammals, or monotremes, are the platypus, the long-beaked echidna and the short-beaked echidna.
Why are the platypus and echidna special animals?
The platypus and the echidna are the world's only two known egg-laying mammals. They are classified as monotremes.
The platypus and echidna are the only mammals that?
The platypus and the echidna are the only two egg-laying mammals in existence. They are classed as monotremes.They are still classified as mammals because they feed their young on mothers' milk - a characteristic unique to mammals alone.
Do mammals eggs?
'Monotremes' lay eggs, - they are the 'platypus' and the 'echidna'.
Which mammals give eggs?
The platypus and the echidna are both monotremes, that is, egg-laying mammals. There are actually three known species of egg-laying mammals, or monotremes. They are the platypus and short-beaked echidna of Australia, and the long-beaked echidna of Papua New Guinea. The echidna is sometimes called the spiny anteater.They are mammals because, like all mammals, they suckle their young on mothers' milk.
