ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Monotreme

Monotreme is a big word that describes a very special and unique group of animals. These creatures are very different from other animals because they are the only ones that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live babies like cats, dogs, or even humans!

There are only three known species of monotremes in the world, and they are all found in Australia and New Guinea. They are called the platypus and two types of echidnas (which are also known as spiny anteaters).

The platypus is a very strange-looking animal that has a duck-like bill and webbed feet like a duck, but it also has a furry body like a mammal, so it's a little bit of both! Echidnas are also very unique creatures that are covered in spines and have a long snout like an anteater to help them catch ants and termites for food.

One of the coolest things about monotremes is that they have a very special feature that sets them apart from other animals - they can sense electrical fields! This means they have the ability to find prey and communicate with each other using tiny electrical signals.

Although monotremes may seem mysterious and different from other animals, they are still a very important and interesting part of our world. By studying these unusual creatures, scientists can learn more about how animals have evolved over time and how they adapt to their environments.