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Because they don't have properly formed nipples, so the milk oozes straight through the skin in certain spots.
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∙ 10y ago
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Do otters sweat milk?
Yes and no. In monotremes, which includes the platypus, there are mammary glands but no teats. When producing the milk, the mother excretes milk out of pores in the skin and the young platypuses lick the milk off the abdomen. The mother has grooves specifically designed to keep milk that is excreted out.
Does a platypus's sweat contain milk?
Yes and no. In monotremes, which includes the platypus, there are mammary glands but no teats. When producing the milk, the mother excretes milk out of pores in the skin and the young platypuses lick the milk off the abdomen. The mother has grooves specifically designed to keep milk that is excreted out. These glands from which the milk is secreted are modified sweat glands on the platypus's abdomen. In all mammals, the mammary glands are really little more than modified sweat glands, but it's the the absence of nipples which is more obvious in platypuses. Interestingly, the male platypus's venom gland is also a modified sweat gland.
How are the young platypuses fed?
Platypuses are mammals (although unusual egg-laying mammals) and, like all mammals, they feed their young on mothers' milk. The platypus does not suckle its young quite like other mammals do. It does not have nipples, but it exudes milk from specialised sweat glands on its abdomen.
Is there sweat in milk?
Although the primary constituent of milk -- that is, water -- is the same as the primary constituent of sweat, there is no sweat in milk.
Do baby platypuses drink their mother's milk?
Yes. Platypuses are mammals, and all female mammals - platypuses included - suckle their young on mother's milk. The only difference is that female platypuses do not have teats. The young must scoop up the milk which exudes into grooves in the mother's abdomen.
Do baby platypuses need milk?
Yes. Being mammals (albeit egg-laying mammals), baby platypuses must feed on mothers' milk.
What do mother platypuses feed their young?
Platypuses are mammals: therefore, mother platypuses, like all mammals, feed their young on mothers' milk.
How long do platypuses remain with their mothers and feed on their milk?
Young platypuses remain with their mother, feeding on mothers' milk, for about four months (115-125 days).
How do baby platypuses get their food when they are young?
Baby platypuses initially feed exclusively on mothers' milk. The mother platypus does not have teats for the baby platypuses to latch onto, but instead secretes milk through grooves on either side of her abdomen. The young platypuses suck up this milk. As they get older, they are shown by the mother platypus how to find food in rivers and creeks.
What do newborn platypus eat?
Platypuses are mammals so, like all mammals, they feed their young on mothers' milk.
How do baby platypuses find their food after being born?
After being hatched (not born), baby platypuses initially feed exclusively on mothers' milk. Like other mammals, they move by instinct, and lured by the smell, to the mother's abdomen, where they feed on milk that is secreted through modified sweat glands, rather than teats.As they get older, they are shown by the mother platypus how to find food in rivers and creeks.
Why do aliens sweat milk?
None of the aliens that I know sweat milk -- but the platypus and the spiny anteater do. This is the beginnings of the mammary glands - enriched sweat.
