kloakdjur

Kloakdjur is a Swedish word that translates to "marsupial" in English. Marsupials are a group of mammals that are characterized by giving birth to relatively underdeveloped young, which then complete their development inside a pouch on the mother's belly. This pouch, known as a marsupium, provides protection and nourishment for the infant.

The most well-known examples of marsupials are found in Australia and include kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies. However, marsupials also inhabit parts of the Americas, with the opossum being a prominent example. Unlike placental mammals, marsupials have a different reproductive strategy. The placenta is either absent or very short-lived, and the embryo develops for a shorter period in the uterus before emerging to enter the pouch.

Inside the pouch, the young marsupial, called a joey, latches onto a teat and continues to grow and mature. This unique mode of reproduction has allowed marsupials to diversify and occupy a wide range of ecological niches, particularly in environments where they have faced less competition from placental mammals. Despite their distinct evolutionary path, marsupials share many fundamental mammalian traits such as being warm-blooded and having fur. The term "kloakdjur" therefore encapsulates this fascinating and diverse group of mammals.