noun
- a mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young, found only in Australia and New Guinea
Usage: zoological
Examples
- The platypus is the most well-known monotreme.
- Echidnas are the only other living monotremes besides the platypus.
- Monotremes are unique among mammals because they lay eggs.
- Scientists study monotremes to understand early mammalian evolution.
- Only three species of monotremes exist today.
- The monotreme’s reproductive system combines features of reptiles and mammals.