Platypuses are more than mammals, amirite?

Well, the mammals who lay eggs are monotremes, of which only 5 species exist - duckbilled platipus and 4 species of echidna. But that doesnt mean theyre not mammals. You should look into taxonomic ranks to get a better grasp of the "categories"

by Myrna26 4 months ago

They're mammals because they mostly have mammalian traits, the only thing that's not mammalian is that they lay eggs. Duck bills have no bearing on whether an animal is a mammal or not. Anacondas technically have live brith, still reptiles

by heaneycatalina 4 months ago

well, not the only trait. They also have "reptillian" lowever limb attachemnts (kinds), a cloacha, and no nipples. But as you say, still mammals.

by Popular-Tea1982 4 months ago

Vipers are called vipers because they give birth to live young.

by Bayeraliza 4 months ago

I know platypuses is correct, but it just seems like it should be platypi.

by Fluffy_Royal_7249 4 months ago

Platypeople?

by Anonymous 4 months ago

Platyfolks

by Anonymous 4 months ago

Platyfriendswemadealongtheway

by Anonymous 4 months ago

I like platypeople

by Fluffy_Royal_7249 4 months ago

platypodae

by Popular-Tea1982 4 months ago

Platypodes if you want to be true to the etymology.

by Bayeraliza 4 months ago

That or at least something like "platypae"...

by YakSubstantial1257 4 months ago

They are the only animal we call a platypus. That's very unique.

by Anonymous 4 months ago

I read this as a "metronome", and I had no idea they were that good at keeping the beat.

by Anonymous 4 months ago

Your right, they are also agents

by Anonymous 4 months ago

The main trait of mammals is that they drink milk from the breast of the mother (From their mammary gland). So yes, Platypus are special kinds of mammals

by Prestigious_War 4 months ago

So these categories are made by humans to help us organize. As our understanding changes, these definitions change.

by Anonymous 4 months ago

Because human constructed categories aren't as clear-cut as people would like to believe. We use them as much as they're useful. Definitions are descriptive, not prescriptive.

by Anonymous 4 months ago

They are in their own category. Well, they share that category with echidnas, but still. They're counted as monotremes, which are mammals that lay eggs. There are only five living monotremes: the platypus and the four species of echidna. All of which are native to Australia.

by Anonymous 4 months ago

What's next? El Caminos are not automobiles? This place is out of control.

by Queasy_Field 4 months ago

But they are mammals. What they aren‘t is being placentalia, which with marsupiallia form the group theria. And theria and monitremata from the group mammalian

by No-Caregiver-9051 4 months ago

So, funny thing, nature doesnt conform to the labels we put on it. Platypuses have more mammalian characteristics than others so it's a mammal lol.

by MudEnvironmental3804 4 months ago

Incoming: insulted beaver ducks

by Anonymous 4 months ago