What is the duck-billed platypus?
Q: What is the duck-billed platypus?
A: The duck-billed platypus is a small mammal and one of only two monotremes that survive today.
Q: Where does the platypus live?
A: The platypus lives in eastern Australia, in rivers and river banks.
Q: What is the plural of platypus?
A: The plural of platypus is just 'platypus'.
Q: How many families of mammals lay eggs?
A: Only two families of mammals lay eggs, and the platypus is one of them. The other is the Echidna, which has four species.
Q: When was the platypus first described in detail?
A: The platypus was first described in detail in the early 19th century.
Q: Why are monotremes called monotremes?
A: Monotremes are called monotremes because they have a common rear opening, the cloaca. Through this opening faeces and urine are voided (put out), and sexual activity takes place.
Q: Which mammals have the system where the rear has two openings?
A: The later ('derived') mammals have the system where the rear has two openings, while monotremes, birds, and reptiles have a common cloaca.
