The only mammal that can lay eggs?

Answer 1

There are actually two. The duckbilled platypus and the echidna. Both only live in Australia

Answer 2

Only Mammal That Lays Eggs

Answer 3

Platypus is the answer,(Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia and Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record.

The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed mammal baffled naturalists when it was first discovered, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals, male platypuses have a spur on the hind foot which delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognizable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20-cent coin.

Until the early 20th century it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programs have had only limited success and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.

Answer 4

Platypus

(plăt´ps) , semiaquatic egg-laying mammal, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, of Tasmania and E Australia. Also called duckbill, or duckbilled platypus, it belongs to the order Monotremata (see monotreme), the most primitive group of living mammals. The only other member of this group is the echidna, or spiny anteater. The head, trunk, and tail of the platypus are broad and flattened and covered with thick dark brown fur. The muzzle is shaped like a duck's bill and is soft and rubbery. It contains ridges used for crushing food; the animal has no teeth. The eyes are small and there are no external ears. The five-toed feet are webbed. The heel of the male bears a hollow spur connected to a poison-secreting gland; this spur is probably used as a weapon. The adult male platypus is about 2 ft (60 cm) long, including the 5 or 6 in. (13—15 cm) tail; it weighs about 4 lb. The female is slightly smaller. The platypus is found from tropical swamps at sea level to cold lakes at altitudes of 6,000 ft (1,830 m). Its diet consists entirely of small freshwater animals dredged from muddy bottoms. Prey captured underwater are stored in cheek pouches and eaten at the surface or on land. Platypuses live in pairs in simple burrows in stream banks, except during the breeding season, when the female makes a separate and more elaborate burrow containing a nesting chamber approached by a long tunnel. One, two, or three eggs are laid at a time and are incubated, in birdlike fashion, by the female. The female lacks nipples, and the young lick milk from the fur around the many small abdominal openings of the mammary glands. The platypus is classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Monotremata, family Ornithorhynchidae

Answer 5

Actually there are three mammals that lay eggs, the platypus and two types of echidna [short and longbeaked]. They form the family of the monotremes. All egg laying mammals live in Australia.

Answer 6

As has already been said, the platypus and four kinds of spiny anteaters. They're called monotremes, which means one hole. Giving live birth is no longer considered a characteristic of a mammal, though most of us learned that in grade school. Now the characteristics are
1. Has a diaphragm
2. Nurses its young
3. Has hair
4. Has a spine
5. Has a four chambered heart
6. Has only one bone on each side of its jawbone
7. Has three bones in the inner ear.

Answer 7

There are two types of mammals that can lay eggs: The duck billed platypus and four species of the echidna (or spiny anteater). Both types of mammal are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea.

Answer 8

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The only mammal that can lay eggs?

Answer 9

Monotremes (monos, single + trema, hole; refers to the cloaca) are mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young like marsupials (Metatheria) and placental mammals (Eutheria). The subclass comprises a single order, Monotremata (though sometimes the subclass Prototheria is used). An infant monotreme is known as a puggle.

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Answer 10

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus), short-nosed echidna (Tachyglossus) and long-nosed echidna (Zaglossus) are all living mammal species that lay eggs.

They are in a group of mammals known as Monotremes. The other living groups include marsupials (such as kangaroos and opossums which carry their young in pouches), and the placental mammals (such as cats, horses and humans, who carry their young inside the female, and they are nourished via a placenta).

Mammals are defined by the possession of mammary glands for nourishing young, and the possession of three inner ear bones and a single bone in the jaw. Bearing live young is not a defining character for the group.