5 Mammals That Lay Eggs
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7 August 2024
There are just five known mammals in the world that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young
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These egg-laying mammals are called monotremes. Under this mammalian order are five creatures — platypus and four species of echidna
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They are found only in Australia and New Guinea, and are considered some of the most fascinating and unusual animals in the world
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1. Duck-Billed Platypus: Found in eastern Australia and Tasmania, the platypus is a unique creature that lays eggs and has a duck-billed snout
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The female lays one to three leathery eggs in a shallow nest before incubating them for about two weeks until they hatch
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2. Short-beaked Echidna: Also known as spiny anteaters, echidnas have spines on their backs and long tongues adapted for eating ants and termites. They have spiny fur and lay eggs in burrows
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3. Sir David's long-beaked Echidna: This species of echidna is found in the Cyclops Mountains of New Guinea and is named after Sir David Attenborough
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The females lay one to three eggs at once into the mother's fur pouch before burying them under hillsides or logs
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4. Eastern long-beaked Echidna: Found in New Guinea, this echidna has a long, pointed snout and lays eggs in leaf litter
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5. Western long-beaked Echidna: This species of echidna is found in the Foja Mountains of New Guinea and is considered one of the rarest animals in the world
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