What are egg-laying mammals known as?

Egg-laying mammals are classified as monotremes. This unique group of mammals is characterized by their reproductive method, which involves laying eggs rather than giving live birth, which is typical for most mammals. Monotremes represent a very small lineage within the mammalian class, with the best-known examples being the platypus and the echidnas (or spiny anteaters). These creatures possess distinct features that set them apart from other mammals, such as a cloaca, which is an opening used for both excretion and reproduction.

In contrast, placental mammals give birth to live young that have developed inside the mother’s uterus, receiving nutrients from the placental connection during gestation. Marsupials, like kangaroos and koalas, also give birth to live young, but the young are born at a very early stage of development and typically continue to grow in a pouch. Ovoviviparous mammals are those whose eggs develop inside the mother’s body but do not receive nourishment directly from her; instead, the embryos are nourished by the yolk of the egg, leading to live births. These classifications illustrate the diversity of reproductive strategies within the animal kingdom, but it is the monotremes that stand out for their