Steropodon galmani
fossil monotreme
Quick Summary
Steropodon galmani was an ancient, extinct monotreme, an order of mammals that lay eggs. This fossil, known from an opalized jawbone, dates back to the early Cretaceous Period, approximately 110 million years ago. While initially thought to be a platypus, it is now classified in its own family, Steropodontidae. Monotremes, which include the platypus and echidnas, are characterized by a single opening for reproductive and excretory functions. They also possess electroreceptors, which help them detect electrical signals.123
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