Comparative Physiology and Anatomy of Monotremes and Marsupials

This webinar compares Australia’s two groups of non-placental mammals: marsupials, which give birth to underdeveloped young, and monotremes, which lay eggs. It covers their evolutionary history, and how their thermoregulation, metabolism, locomotion, digestion, reproduction and senses differ from each other and from placental mammals.

For each body system it looks at what this means in the clinic, including ambient temperature, telling torpor from illness, safe handling and restraint, species-appropriate housing, diet and fasting, checking the pouch, and reducing stress. It finishes with a summary of the key points for hospitalised wildlife.

Presented by Samantha J Clutterbuck at the 2025 ACVN Nurse Conference (Exotics and Wildlife stream).

Includes the full recording (40 minutes), the presentation slides as a PDF, and a quiz. Pass the quiz to receive a certificate worth 1 AVNAT point.