The platypus is a very unique and interesting mammal. It is only one of five species found on Earth in the order Monotremata. The order Monotremata is the order that lays eggs. The platypus is the only egg-laying mammal known to date (“The AmazingPlatypus”). The average number of eggs laid by the female platypus is only two at a time. The female lays her eggs in a hole specially designed for egg-laying. The male platypus becomes more active during the breeding season compared to its daily lifestyle (“Laying Mammals”). Once the female has laid her eggs, they are incubated for approximately ten to fourteen days. Once the egg hatches, the baby platypus will stay with their mother until they are old enough to care for themselves. They will usually stay with the mother until the infants reach seventeen weeks of life. While the mother has to do everything, the father platypus does not help raise the young because he has his own territory. If there are too many people for it, the infants will leave and be alone ("Duckbill Platypus-Ornithorhynchus anatinus"). The platypus has a very unique appearance. It looks like a cross between a duck and a beaver. The bill would relate to the bill of a duck, and the tail is similar to that of the beaver. (“Apologetics Press – The Flat-Footed, Beaver-Tailed, Duck-Billed Platypus”). The physical characteristics of the platypus are quite interesting. It is the size of a normal cat and is covered in three layers of very thick brown fur. That’s a lot of fur! The platypus also has webbed feet that make swimming easier. Its nostrils are at the top of the beak, allowing it to breathe in the middle of a sheet of paper...... photos, platypus facts - national Geographic." National Geographic, February 2014. Saleem, Maria. “List of Egg-laying Mammals and Facts with Pictures.” liveanimalslist.com 2013. January 27, 2014. mammals.php> “Platypus Facts.” duck-billed platypuses | monotremes." animalfactguide.com2007. 29 January 2014. "The duck-billed platypus." Jesus is Lord 8 February 2014. lord.com/platypus.htm>. "Tourism tasmania corporate - platypus." Tourism Tasmania 2009. Tourism Tasmania.13 February 2014. "Where to look for the platypus 04 February.". 2014..