© 2019 Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Todos los derechos reservados
These are the only mammals that reproduce by laying eggs. Only a few species exist today, in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, distributed into two groups:
Easily recognizable by its duck-like bill, it has a body adapted to aquatic life, with dense fur, a flattened tail, and webbing between its toes. Both sexes possess a horny spur in the ankle, but only in males is it venomous. Its sting is very painful but not fatal.
Four species. They resemble hedgehogs or porcupines, but with a tubular snout similar to that of the South American anteater.