Which animal is known for the rare ability to both lay eggs and produce milk for its young?

Introduction / Context:
Most mammals give birth to live young and feed them milk, while most egg laying animals like birds and reptiles do not produce milk. A very small group of ancient mammals, called monotremes, break this usual pattern. They lay eggs and then later feed the hatchlings with milk. General knowledge questions often ask about a famous example of such an animal, because it is a classic oddity that helps students remember mammalian diversity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which animal gives both milk and eggs.
• Options include Echidna, Platypus, Wombat and All of the above.
• We assume the question follows the common general knowledge pattern that looks for a single most famous example.
• All animals listed are found in Australia or nearby regions, adding to the potential confusion.

Concept / Approach:
Platypus and echidna both belong to the monotreme group and are mammals that lay eggs. They also produce milk to feed their young, although they lack nipples and the milk is secreted onto the skin. However, most exam oriented general knowledge questions highlight the platypus specifically as the typical example. Wombat, by contrast, is a marsupial that gives birth to live young, not eggs, though it does produce milk. Because the question usually expects the most widely recognised animal that both lays eggs and gives milk, platypus is treated as the correct answer in such MCQs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about an animal that lays eggs yet is also able to produce milk.Step 2: Recall that the platypus is a famous monotreme mammal from Australia known to both lay eggs and nurse its young with milk.Step 3: Note that in standard exam books, platypus is specifically mentioned as the answer to questions about an animal that gives both milk and eggs.Step 4: Therefore select Platypus and not the broader or incorrect alternatives.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biology textbooks and reliable online references describe the platypus in detail as an egg laying mammal that secretes milk to feed its young, placing it in the monotreme category. While they also mention echidnas as monotremes, common exam compilations for bank, railway and civil services usually frame the one line fact as Platypus is the animal that gives both milk and eggs. Cross checking a few such exam guides confirms that platypus is the answer they expect candidates to recall for this standard question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Echidna is biologically also a monotreme that lays eggs and produces milk, but exam oriented material usually does not present it as the standard example for this particular question, which focuses on a single famous species. Wombat is a marsupial and gives birth to live young, so it does not lay eggs at all and therefore cannot fit the description. All of the above is wrong because at least one of the animals listed, the wombat, does not lay eggs. Thus, only platypus aligns with both the biological description and the typical exam expectation.

Common Pitfalls:
Students with deeper biology knowledge sometimes overthink the question and choose All of the above because they know that more than one monotreme lays eggs and gives milk. On the other hand, many learners guess wombat or echidna simply through familiarity with Australian animals. To avoid error, it is important to remember how general knowledge books usually phrase the one line fact and to select platypus when a question specifically asks which animal gives both milk and eggs in this popular MCQ format.

Final Answer:
In the exam style general knowledge context, the animal recognised for both laying eggs and giving milk to its young is the Platypus, so Platypus is the correct option.