Monotremes

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Monotremes are the only egg laying mammals. They are the only Monotremes without teeth except the Platypus. They are restricted to the areas of Australia, New Quinea and Tasmania. Monotremes have both reptilian and mammalian characteristics.  Some mammalian and reptilian  characteristics are given below :

Mammal

1. Hair (echidna has hair as well as spines like a porcupine, which are also a form of keratin, like rhino horns)
2. Mammary Glands (Any of milk- producing glands typically paired in female mammals)
3. Heterothermic (constant body temperature maintained under favorable conditions or it may be based on the body temperature ).

Reptilian

1.  The Monotremes lay eggs.
2. Embryonic Egg tooth used to cut the egg membrane and shell upon hatching.
3. They have Cloaca which means a posterior part of intestinal tract in invertebrates

These are the reasons why Monotremes have mammal and reptilian characteristics.

Platypus

The Platypus has duck like bill , beaver like tail, and webbed feet.

Echidna’s S

Echidna’s have a tubular beak huge claws for dinging and spins.