List of mammals that lay eggs

In nature there is a great variety of animals and species with unique behaviors and qualities.In order to establish a classification, it is possible to divide them according to their characteristics, whether reptiles, birds, fish or amphibians.However, as incredible as it may seem, there are cases where a species shares characteristics of both one class and another.p>

On this occasion, in ExpertAnimal, we will talk about the mammals that lay eggs, their characteristics and examples .Does it sound a bit strange? But they exist! Find out what they are !

Do mammals lay eggs?

In principle, most mammals , including humans, have a type of sexual reproduction , in which male and female cells are necessary from two different individuals for fertilization to occur and, therefore, a new life begins.However, there are some mammals that reproduce by means of eggs .These belong to the order monotreme .This order includes all those mammals that, at the same time, have reptile characteristics; among them, ovipara reproduction.This type of reproduction is carried out thanks to the existence in the body of individuals of a hole called cloaca, which fulfills functions of digestive, urinary and reproductive system.

On the other hand, monotremes or monotremados, as they are also known, not only possess reptilian characteristics, but also share qualities with their mammal companions, such as the following:

• They are animals Homeotherms, that is, they can keep your body temperature within certain limits.
• The surface of your skin is covered with hairs.
• They feed their young through the milk produced in their organisms.
• They have diaphragm.
• Their heart is divided into four cavities .

Thanks to all this, in the body of these peculiar species characteristic animal orders appear It is completely different, making them quite rare specimens.Now, do you want to know which are the mammals that lay eggs? There are only two! Discover them below!

Mammals that lay eggs: platypus

The platypus, whose scientific name is Ornithorhynchus anatinus , has a curious appearance that suggests that it was formed with parts of different animals., you can guess that it has the beak of the ducks, the webbed feet of the otters, a tail equal to that of the beavers and, as if that were not enough, a rather thick and bushy fur! And that is not all ! Incredible as it may seem, the platypus is a poisonous animal , as it has a spur on its hind legs that it uses to defend itself against predators.Its fur is dark brown with gray or yellow spots; the strands being so thick, they protect it in the water, where it spends much of its life.Most of the specimens measure 60 centimeters and weigh about 3 kilograms .

As for its habitat, the Ornithorhynchus anatinus is native to eastern Australia and lives in burrows or river banks.It feeds on insects and other invertebrates that it traps through a method called electrolocation on.With this method the platypus is able to perceive the weakest electrical impulses that other animals produce when moving.

As for its reproduction , as we said, females lay eggs that first form in elutero and, then, are incubated for an approximate period of 10 days.In general, they do not usually put more than three, being two the most usual figure.Once hatched, the little ones feed on breast milk that, oddly enough, doesn't extra in through the mother's nipples, because they don't have nipples! In this way, the females have mammary glands but secrete the milk through pores that they have on the skin and through which the young can lick it.If you want to discover more curious facts, do not miss the article "Curiosities about the platypus ".

Mammals that lay eggs: echidna

Another of the mammals that lay eggs is the echidna or Tachyglossidae. This is a sturdy animal, surrounded by long spines of about 7 centimeters in length, which also has a short hair that covers it and has no tail.Its appearance, at first glance, is very similar to the hedgehog .

Like many other animals, the defensive system of the echidna are its thorns, which it uses by burying the rest of its body and offering its predators as if it were a coat of thorns.There are two species of echidna : the common echidna or short-nosed and long-nosed echidna.

Only inhabits the island of New Guinea and Australia. It is a nocturnal animal , so during the day it is usually hidden between rocks, holes, roots of trees and shrubs.He is a very good swimmer and feeds especially on insects, which he locates through his sense of smell; its view, on the other hand, is very limited.Another of the hunting mechanisms of this species is its sticky tongue.It measures 20 centimeters in length and uses it to capture its prey.The echidna has no teeth , so crush your food with a kind of corneal spines that are located on the palate at the end of the mouth.

Like the platypus, the echidna belongs to the group of monotremes, so that its reproduction is ovipara like birds, but it feeds its young through mammary glands like any other mammal.

Now that you know the two mammals that lay eggs, do not miss the following articles to expand your knowledge about the animal world:

If you want to read more articles similar to List of mammals that lay eggs-Features and curiosities , we recommend that in three in our Curiosities section of the animal world.