Hi, In this article we will see how many Mammals are available worldwide that lay eggs instead of babies.
When we think about mammals, we usually picture animals like dogs, cats, elephants, or humans, all of which give birth to live babies. But did you know that some mammals lay eggs? These special mammals are quite rare and unique in the world!
Let's talk about the mammals that lay eggs.
What Are Mammals That Lay Eggs?
Mammals that lay eggs belong to a group called monotremes. Monotremes are an ancient group of mammals, which means they have been around for a very long time. Unlike most mammals, monotremes reproduce by laying eggs rather than giving birth to live young.
How Many Mammals Lay Eggs?
There are only five species of mammals that lay eggs in the world. These species all belong to the monotreme family, and they can be found in Australia and New Guinea. The five egg-laying mammals are:
Platypus
The platypus is perhaps the most famous egg-laying mammal. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a flat tail. The female platypus lays one to three eggs at a time and incubates them by curling around them to keep them warm.
Short-beaked Echidna
The short-beaked echidna is a spiny mammal that looks a bit like a hedgehog. It lays one egg at a time, which the mother carries in a special pouch on her belly until it hatches.
Western Long-beaked Echidna
The Western Long-beaked Echidna has a longer snout than the short-beaked echidna and is found in New Guinea. It also lays one egg, which is carried in the mother's pouch.
Eastern Long-beaked Echidna
Similar to the western long-beaked echidna, this species is found in the highlands of New Guinea. It also lays a single egg at a time.
Sir David’s Long-beaked Echidna
Named after the famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough, this species is the rarest of the echidnas and is found in New Guinea. Like the others, it lays one egg that the mother carries in a pouch.
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Conclusion
So throughout this guide, we have seen all about how many mammals found in the world that lay eggs. There are more Mammals that still exist in the world that lay eggs and you can explore them.
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Thanks.