The Mythical Monotremes!

What's that semi-aquatic, egg-laying small mammal of action over there? It’s the platypus!

The platypus, as well as the 4 species of echidna, make up the mammalian Order Monotremata.
What’s the definition of a mammal? Mammals are endothermic (warm-blooded), have hair, produce milk, have 3 ear bones etc. Monotremes definitely have hair, sweat milk, and…lay… eggs? And some produce venom. What?! Let's learn more about these curious little creatures!

To learn more, please listen/watch the following. Videos are a little under 15 min each.

Platypus
The Insane Biology of: The Platypus
**https://youtu.be/Wh2du5SOjmY?si=F8TsAypZqKnRze2q**

Platypus: The King of Weirdos
https://youtu.be/7-_b73LX8IY?si=ogTYyM6_piheVThR

A podcast about platypus ecology and conservation efforts
Platypuses with Geoff Williams
**https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CEf1wlxxHkyOMDJRhkOf0?si=8LuZ09rkTPehExh56_25Sw**

The Echidna
The Echidna Makes The Platypus Look Normal
https://youtu.be/m2XfF1hWICc?si=OE8RTwWzG3CP56MY

Monotremes:
Monotremes (mammals that lay eggs)! By I Wish You Were Dead (a paleontology podcast)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FvrRhcyZfRcwmj0riOmXP?si=b814ac8f68224304

Monotremes lay eggs!
The three different ways mammals give birth - Kate Slabosky
**https://youtu.be/sz3Yv3On4lE?si=muMukeq_Ybxxtw6b**

What about their evolution? Here’s a crash course in their evolution and fossil specimens
Monotremes: Egg Laying Mammals of Action
https://youtu.be/XMczXFsslp8?si=pmHgWo50i7eja-zv

Dr. Polaris delivers another interesting video on fossil Monotremes!
Australia's Lost Monotremes
**https://youtu.be/TP3wEyT5xh8?si=R1ayUqXGTdPWgrUb**

Additional videos. Extremely interesting but not required listening:

Too many sex chromosomes: Interesting if older science (over 15 yrs)
The fascinating lives of monotremes — echidnas and platypuses | Frank Grutzner | TEDxAdelaide
https://youtu.be/7vzZiCK9XcI?si=vR0SqJAYS9RrBkYx

Important notes for all attendees:

1st and most important:
Welcome and thank you for joining us at our MeetUp!

2nd. Do the homework!
This event is a group discussion about the media and is not a group listen party. Be sure to have listened to/read the materials BEFORE joining us. It will help you stay in the loop!

3rd. Food & Beverage
Wine, beer and Topo Chico are available at the bar! Meals are not served at Winehaus but sometimes charcuterie boards are available. You are welcome to bring your dinner or order delivery from a local business and eat during the discussion!

4th. A typical meetup looks like this:
We start with an icebreaker question and introductions around the table, often with gentil banter about the icebreaker or uproarious laughter (hey, it happens!), then the organizer throws out questions to incite conversation!

Note: We do our best to stay on topic and ensure everyone is able to share, but we recognize there are times when great contributions may not make it into the discussion. If you have something you really want to say and need an outlet to do so, please join our Discord server and participate virtually as well as in person! Click here to Join FWWSS on Discord.

5th. No one is obligated for any length of time. Sometimes the discussion ends around 8:00 and sometimes we talk past 9:00.