How do reptiles have babies for kids?

How many eggs do reptiles lay?

The number of eggs laid differs among reptile species. Some lay just one egg. Others can lay up to 200. It usually takes about 60 to 105 days for the eggs to hatch. Certain snakes and lizards give birth to live young. Most reptiles take at least a year to mature. Unlike mammals, reptiles may grow throughout their lives.

How does egg fertilization occur in reptiles?

In reptiles, egg fertilization occurs internally when the male places his sperm inside eggs within the female’s body. The male does this by inserting his penis or hemipenes into the female cloaca.

How many types of snakes lay eggs?

There are three types of snake – oviparous, viviparous and ovoviviparous. Only oviparous snakes lay eggs. These account for 70% of snake species, so there’s a good reason why most people assume all snakes lay eggs.

How do reptiles fertilize their eggs?

Fertilization occurs internally, female eggs are fertilized by the male’s sperm inside the female’s body. Excluding some lizards and snakes which give birth to live young, all other reptiles lay eggs. Reptile eggs are self-sufficient, they contain a yolk and protein which provides the embryo with the water and nutrients needed to develop.

How does ovulation occur in reptiles?

When ovulation occurs, the eggs are shed from the ovary and drop directly into the oviduct, one on each side. In reptiles copulation may stimulate ovulation, occur simultaneously with ovulation, take place within an hour to a week of ovulation (presumably the most frequent situation),…

When do reptiles mate?

Although spring is the main period of courtship and copulation for most temperate-zone reptiles, males commonly complete spermatogenesis (that is, the production of sperm) in late summer. Occasionally, a male will mate, and his sperm will be stored in the oviducts of the female until the eggs are ovulated in…

Do lepidosaurs lay eggs?

Even among lepidosaurs, most lay eggs that hatch into young, but there are a few lizards and snakes that give birth to live young. Reptiles that give birth to live young can be divided into two types: viviparous and ovoviviparous.

What triggers ovulation in reptiles?

Triggers for ovulation are poorly understood in the reptile, but when ovulation > does occur, oocytes enter the oviduct and become fertilized. (Females of some species can store sperm for an extended period and produce fertile eggs after being separated from males for a long time).

What is the egg production process in reptiles?

Egg production The process of egg production in reptiles is very similar to that described in birds. Rising estrogen levels promote vitellogenesis or yolk production within the liver. Yolk is then transported via the blood stream to the reproductive tract where it is deposited in oocytes.

How does a reptile become gravid?

A healthy adult female does NOT need the presence of a male to become gravid. For fertilization, a male reptile inserts either one of his two hemipenes into the female’s cloaca, or the single penis is inserted. Before actual copulation, the pair usually engages in some type of ritualized courtship.

How often does copulation occur in reptiles?

In reptiles copulation may stimulate ovulation, occur simultaneously with ovulation, take place within an hour to a week of ovulation (presumably the most frequent situation), or occur months prior to complete the development of the eggs and their ovulation.

What is the difference between a diapsid and a lepidosaur?

The diapsids in turn diverged into two groups, the Archosauromorpha (“ancient lizard form”) and the Lepidosauromorpha (“scaly lizard form”) during the Mesozoic period ( (Figure) ). The lepidosaurs include modern lizards, snakes, and tuataras.

What are some examples of lepidosaurs and archosaurs?

The lepidosaurs include modern lizards, snakes, and tuataras. The archosaurs include modern crocodiles and alligators, and the extinct pterosaurs (“winged lizard”) and dinosaurs (“terrible lizard”). Clade Dinosauria includes birds, which evolved from a branch of dinosaurs. Evolution of amniotes: This chart shows the evolution of amniotes.

Do female lizards have eggs?

Owners are often surprised to find that their single pet female lizard has developed eggs. A healthy adult female does NOT need the presence of a male to become gravid. For fertilization, a male reptile inserts either one of his two hemipenes into the female’s cloaca, or the single penis is inserted.

What are the triggers for ovulation in reptiles?

Triggers for ovulation are poorly understood in the reptile, but when ovulation > does occur, oocytes enter the oviduct and become fertilized. (Females of some species can store sperm for an extended period and produce fertile eggs after being separated from males for a long time).

What are secondary sex characteristics in reptiles?

Common secondary sex characteristics in reptiles *The external spurs are remnants of the boid’s vestigial pelvic girdle. The spurs are located just lateral to the vent or the opening of the cloaca. The presence of the hemipenes can create a dramatic bulge at the tail base of some male lizards.

What is the process of egg production in reptiles?

Egg production The process of egg production in reptiles is very similar to that described in birds. Rising estrogen levels promote vitellogenesis or yolk production within the liver. Yolk is then transported via the blood stream to the reproductive tract where it is deposited in oocytes.

Are reptiles oviparous?

Like Class Aves, many reptiles are also oviparous and the production of eggs is very similar to that seen in birds. Unlike the avian egg, the normal reptile egg is thin-shelled and pliant. The male intromittent reproductive organ also displays diversity in Class Reptilia.

What does it mean when a reptile lays eggs?

Some reptiles bear live young, and the term for this is viviparous. Technically, a female that lays eggs is said to be gravid when she is holding eggs inside of her. A female that gives birth to live young may correctly be called pregnant.

How are eggs produced in reptiles?

The process of egg production in reptiles is very similar to that described in birds. Rising estrogen levels promote vitellogenesis or yolk production within the liver Yolk is then transported via the blood stream to the reproductive tract where it is deposited in oocytes.

How does progesterone affect egg retention in reptiles?

Progesterone affects the degree of egg retention and incubation time in reptiles. These endocrine system interactions effect a tradeoff in females: progeny survival and costs of reproduction for the female parent (Sinervo, 1999).

Do hormones affect mating strategies in reptiles?

Species with alternative mating strategies offer the opportunity to dissect the role of hormones in affecting fitness. Morphs may be conditional or fixed ( Rhen & Crews, 2002) and occur in a diversity of species in reptiles, including lizards, snakes, and turtles ( Table 8.1 ).

What is the difference between a male and female reptile?

Many male iguanids and geckos possess femoral or pre-anal pores that secrete a waxy substance making them more prominent than those found in females. Many boas and pythons possess spurs located on either side of the vent and, in many males, these spurs are larger. In general, the tail of male reptiles is proportionally longer than the female’s.

Do reptiles have genitalia?

Below is a list of some of the more common species of reptiles and the method of reproduction they employ. Male and female reptiles do not have external genitalia to help owners determine the sex of a herp. Males and females do possess different reproductive organs, however. The male possesses two testicles, housed inside the body.

What is copulation in zoology?

In zoology, copulation is animal sexual behavior in which a male introduces sperm into the female’s body, especially directly into her reproductive tract. This is an aspect of mating. Many animals that live in water use external fertilization, whereas internal fertilization may have developed from a need…