Monotremes (noun “monotream”)
Monotremes are a unique group of egg-laying mammals.
Only five species of monotremes exist today. All live in Australia or New Guinea. Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is an example. The other four belong to a group called echidnas, or spiny anteaters.
Monotremes are the only mammals that do not give birth to live young. However, monotremes share other key characteristics with mammals. Therefore, scientists still classify them as such.
Like other mammals, monotremes have hair and are endothermic. In other words, they use energy to maintain a constant body temperature. They also produce milk for their young. But for monotremes, milk production comes with unique pitfalls. Unlike other mammals, monotremes do not have nipples. Instead, monotremes have special spots on their skin that secrete milk.
These mammals also share similarities with reptiles and other egg-laying animals. For example, monotremes have a cloaca, which is an entry point for eliminating waste and reproducing. Other mammals have other orifices for these functions. Monotreme means “single opening” in Greek. Therefore, this feature explains the origin of their name.
These egg-laying mammals also have a sixth sense. They can detect electric fields around them. They use this sense to find other creatures in murky water. Among mammals, only monotremes and some dolphins have this ability.
In one sentence
Rather than cooling themselves through sweat, some monotremes use an interesting trick: they blow mucus bubbles through their noses.
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Source: www.snexplores.org
