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The unique feature of monotremes, a sub division of mammal, is that monotremes lay eggs rather than giving birth to their young. There are only five living Monotreme/ egg laying Mammals species: they are - the duck- billed platypus and four species of spiny anteaters (also known as echidna). All of them are found only in Australia and New Guinea.
Echidnas are also known as spiny ant eaters.
♤ Habitat / distribution - Australia and New Guinea
♤ In echidnas, the egg is carried in a pouch on the female’s belly until the young hatches, at which point the barely-developed young must find a mammary gland and latch onto it for nourishment.
Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal.
♤ Habitat / distribution - endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
♤ In the platypus, the female retires to a burrow in the bank of a river or pond. The burrow is lined with dry vegetation, and there the eggs are laid.
♤ The male platypus has venom strong enough to can kill a small dog, or cause excruciating pain among humans.