What group of animals does the duck-billed platypus belong to?

zbeckabee

The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_billed_platypus Nov 28 08, 9:30 AM

deepakmr

The answer is Monotreme - egg laying mammals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_laying_mammal Nov 28 08, 10:36 AM

jk18

The duck-billed platypus is a member of the Monotreme's. "The name Monotreme comes from the fact that the echidnas and the platypus use the same opening for reproduction and eliminating waste products, which is an attribute that is found in reptiles ). Other reptilian characteristics include the ability to lay eggs, cervical ribs, and that there is "localisation of ascorbic acid synthesis in the kidney." http://www.platypus.org.uk/ Nov 28 08, 3:09 PM