Monotremes: World's Only Egg-Laying Mammals
By: EjazUlHaqBhat
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Monotremes are a group of mammals that lay eggs. They are found in Australia and New Guinea
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Monotremes are different from other mammals only because they lay eggs
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Females secrete milk through pores on their bellies to feed their young
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They are toothless, have many reptilian characteristics, and are highly specialised and predatory
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There are five living species of monotremes - one species of platypus and four species of echidnas
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The platypus is venomous, with a spur above the heel of each hind leg that males use to establish dominance during breeding season
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Echidnas are covered in spines that are modified hairs that they use for digging, climbing, and swimming
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Monotremes have primitive traits with reptile-like shoulders, which provide strong bracing for digging and manoeuvring in water
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