Question:

Which of the following animal is not viviparous?

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Monotremes (Echidna and Platypus) are the only living mammals that lay eggs.
They represent an evolutionary link between reptiles and therian mammals.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Echidna
  • Scoliodon
  • Pteropus
  • Panthera
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to identify the animal from the given choices that is not viviparous (i.e., does not give birth to live young, but instead lays eggs).

Step 2: Key Concepts and Approach:
We analyze the reproductive biology of mammals, birds, reptiles, and cartilaginous fishes.
Viviparous animals give birth to live young.
Oviparous animals lay eggs.
Among mammals, there is a unique group of egg-laying mammals called Monotremes.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Echidna (Tachyglossus): The spiny anteater (Echidna) and the platypus are monotremes (Prototheria).
These are primitive mammals that possess mammary glands but lack nipples, and they lay eggs (oviparous) rather than giving birth to live young. Thus, Echidna is not viviparous.

Scoliodon (Dogfish): This is a cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) that exhibits viviparity.
The mother provides nourishment to the developing embryos through a yolk-sac placenta.

Pteropus (Flying Fox): This is a placental mammal (Megabat) that is viviparous.

Panthera (Tiger/Lion): This is a placental mammal belonging to Carnivora, which is viviparous.


Step 4: Final Answer:
Echidna is an egg-laying (oviparous) mammal, and is therefore not viviparous.
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