Apr 04, 2025

5 unique egg-laying mammals you've never heard of

Siddhartha Jana

Duck-Billed Platypus

This semi-aquatic animal, which is native to Australia, lays one to three eggs. It hunts underwater with its nose and a poisonous spur. Puggles are babies that nurse in a pouch.

Source: Canva

Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna

Native to New Guinea, this nocturnal insectivore uses its long nose for feeding. The IUCN has classed it as vulnerable, although nothing is known about how it reproduces.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Western Long-Beaked Echidna

The largest monotreme, located in New Guinea, it has keen claws for digging and consumes earthworms. Because of habitat degradation, it is highly endangered and only produces one offspring every year.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Short-Beaked Echidna

Often referred to as the "spiny anteater," this animal uses its sticky tongue to capture ants. Before becoming independent, the infant remains in the mother's pouch after the mother lays one egg.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Sir David's Long-Beaked Echidna

Named for Sir David Attenborough, this echidna is the tiniest. It is solitary, nocturnal, and in grave risk of extinction. In captivity, some have survived for as long as 50 years.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

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