Science
Life Science

Monotremata (platypus, echidnas)

Monotremes are very primitive mammals that have some characteristics that other mammal species lack! They are only found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Female monotremes lay eggs! They carry small, leathery eggs in a pouch and the babies hatch from the eggs! After the babies hatch, they receive milk from their mother, just like other mammals, but the milk doesn't come from a teat. Female monotremes secrete milk onto the surface of their skin. It's as if the female is "sweating" milk!

short-nosed echidnas
Key: profileArticle Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio
Vulnerable Vulnerable Endangered Endangered Critically Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild extinct Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist
 
Monotremata Families Monotremata Resources
bulletFamily Ornithorhynchidae (platypus)
bulletFamily Tachyglossidae (echidnas)
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Websites

Order Monotremata profile Photos
Did you know that all male monotremes have spurs on their ankles? Find out more about their characteristics!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Monotremes profile Photos
Learn more about these primative egg-laying mammals and explore their fossil record!
Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Monotremata profile Photos
This site for kids from NHPTV's Wildlife Journal Junior website has basic information about monotremes.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

games/inateractive

What's for Lunch
Can you figure out what a platypus would eat?
Source: Australian Wildlife Health Centre

River Life
Join Zoe the Platypus and see if you can identify life in an Australian river.
Source: Sydney Aquarium



Online Video

Probing Platypus Evolution
National Geographic researchers are trying to collect DNA samples from these odd duck-billed mammals to determine whether there are separate subspecies.
Source: National Geographic

Echidna Sex Secrets Studied
The mating habits of the echidna are investigated.
Source: National Geographic

Arkive Video and Images
Platypus
Long-beaked Echidna
Short-beaked Echidna

lesson plans

What is a Mammal - Grade 3-5
Students explore the characteristics of mammals. Source: Discovery Education

Paperbag Platypus - Grades K-3
Simple instructions for creating a paper bag platypus. Source: Sparkplugging