Do Lizards Lay Eggs? “Laying eggs” is a common trait found in birds, insects, and some reptiles. A lot of animals reproduce by laying eggs, but have you ever wondered if lizards lay eggs? Some interesting facts about different lizard species will be discussed as well.
Table of Contents
How SkinkReproduce
Lizards are some of the most unique animals in the world. While females lay eggs to give birth to offspring, males will mate with them willingly and like to know that their offspring will survive. Most lizards reproduce sexually, but some species can reproduce asexually.
It’s hard to determine how many lizards exist in the world, but it is estimated that there are around 1 million different species of lizards. As spring transitions into summer, lizards will be engaging in mating behaviors. During this time, male and female reptiles will try to find a mate for reproduction. Throughout the duration of mating season (spring-fall), male and female lizards will go through a number of rituals expecting each other’s lives long commitment.
Where Do Lizards Lay Their Eggs
Most species of lizards lay eggs, largely because of a large reproductive rate. Female lizards that are carrying eggs will find the perfect place for their eggs to be laid for them to have the best survivability once they hatch. After the mating process, it takes 2-4 weeks for females to lay their eggs.
They’ll lay their eggs in hidden places with sufficient moisture in order to avoid drying out before hatching; these nesting sites can be in pits, under logs, or hidden in vegetation like shrubs. Younger lizards produce fewer eggs and as female ages she is able to have more eggs.
What Do Lizards Eggs Look Like
When a lizard lays eggs, they look different from the eggs of a bird and are similar to those of a snake. When the eggs are first laid, they are soft and leathery on the outside. A layer of mucus surrounds the eggs that helps them stay together for hatching.
Compared to snake eggs, lizard egg sized is smaller, but much larger species including tegu can lay them up to an inch long. Most turtle-like lizard will lay smaller-ringed oval-shaped eggs that are about an inch in size and about the same as your fingernail. Snake eggs and reptile eggshells may look completely identical because they are both slightly leathery white; some reptile species will harden their shell so water can remain inside during dry times. Turtles also lay similar looking egg-shells that can be tough to tell apart from other reptiles’ eggs.
All these animals currently lay their eggs on land, but most lizard species have extremely small egg sizes while snake and, turtles have somewhat smaller ones than other reptiles with higher proportions within the group when averaged out.
How Long Do Lizard Eggs Take To Hatch?
On average, it might take 40 to 80 days for a lizard egg to hatch. These eggs require the right amount of heat and moisture. Some predators also prey on these eggs so it’s best if they’re hidden in appropriate places. The valuable reptiles that eat these eggs include:
- Foxes are cute and cuddly creatures with big bushy tails, who often climb through a lot of junk and papers.
- Many different breeds and colors
- Racoons are mammals of the procyonidae family.
- Snakes
- Cats
Lizards That Give Live Birth
Lizards and eggs need specific moisture and temperature levels in order to keep fertile. Because lizards have some of the lowest incubation temperatures on average, they require your attention while they are inside you. You can tell if the eggs are fertile by looking at an embryo through a flashlight. If you want to care for eggs, use an incubator.
Although not all lizards reproduce by laying their eggs, some species give birth to live young. Lizards who give birth to live young are called viviparous while those who lay eggs are called oviparous. Lizards which lay eggs typically have less stress on their bodies and give the eggs a better chance of survival if the mother dies. Viviparous lizards, like the common lizard or Zootoca vivipara, are more likely to live if they experience extreme climates than oviparous lizards.
