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This group consists of the platypus and the echidnas. The monotremes are laying soft-shelled eggs and struckle their young on milk secreted through numerous ducts opening onto the abdomen, not via nipples. In the course of evolution their body lost ears and teeth and their face gained whiskers. The name Monotremata ('one hole') refers to the single opening through which both faeces and urine are voided from the body. The females are laying their eggs through this common aperture but the males sperms are discharged through a penis.
The male platypus has a hollow spur on his anker which is connected to a venom gland. This anker has no function for the echidnas.
Echidna
© 2003