A reader asks the question others are afraid to ask. We answer it with the seriousness it deserves.
<p>A reader named Scott wrote in with a question: <strong>do humans anywhere lay eggs?</strong></p>
<p>No. Not anywhere, not under any circumstances, and we checked so you don't have to. Humans are placental mammals, and the entire placental line traded egg-laying for internal gestation somewhere north of 100 million years ago. There is no known human population, however remote, however committed, that has reversed this decision.</p>
<p>If it's egg-laying mammals you're after, the shortlist is exactly five species: the platypus and four kinds of echidna, all monotremes, all in Australia and New Guinea. The platypus lays leathery eggs about the size of a marble, incubates them against her belly for roughly ten days, and then sweats milk, because monotremes never evolved nipples either. Nature finished that corner of the workshop in a hurry.</p>
<p>So: humans, zero eggs. Platypus, carrying the whole team.</p>
<p>We appreciate a reader who asks the questions others are afraid to ask. Got one of your own? The <a href="/contact">contact page</a> is open, and the Mailbag answers what it can.</p>
