Most reptiles lay eggs with soft, leathery shells, but minerals in the shells can make them harder. One of the rare species known as the Komodo dragon, found in Indonesia can lay eggs that can produce offspring without mating. Eastern fence lizards mate in spring, and lay 3 to 16 eggs in late spring or early summer. Sand lizards dig an egg-burrow in open bare ground in June and lay a clutch of 6-12 eggs. Keep an eye out for newly laid eggs, and try removing some for incubation while leaving others for natural development. And for the very first time, researchers in Australia have found a lizard that switched from eggs to giving birth at the same time, recently. These lizards don’t return to their eggs, ever. Nesting sites can also be found beneath shrubs and in areas of tall grass. This suggests some lizards can "hedge their bets" reproductively, taking a punt on both eggs and live-born babies to improve overall survival chances for offspring. It is the possibility of a particular species engaging in male-female coupling. Reptiles can also be sexed by probing, visual exam, ultrasound, … Copyright Owner - Upul. The females lay eggs several times within a single year with each clutch containing 1 to 2 eggs. The determinant factor for their switch is a combination of chromosomes and outside temperature, meaning that depending on how hot it is outside a fertilized male egg could become female. In a given breeding season, female lizards can lay 2 to 3 batches, which may lead to breeding problem on hatching. It is the possibility of a particular species engaging in male-female coupling. They, and other lizards of the southeast, eat crickets grasshoppers and spiders. Only a fertile egg can produce offspring, and for an egg to be fertilized, … But the lizard does not always lay eggs even for such a short period of time. If eggs are not fertile, they will turn into fungus in a matter of weeks. The eggs may be laid among heaps of decaying leaves or on large trees branches or then can be kept buried is moist soil. Crested geckos can also lay infertile eggs, if she hasn’t mated with a male. (no, not even seahorses) females can lay eggs without a male, but the male cannot lay eggs :) 0 1. brigid. This may be because it recently spent time with a male bearded dragon or simply because it is not uncommon for female bearded dragons, and other types of animals, to lay infertile eggs without ever having been with a male. New lizards can take up to a year to mature and mate, … They lay the eggs in sand or rotting vegetation. 4 years ago. There are subtle differences between males and females in most species of reptile, but in others, the differences are obvious. All are protected species and should not be trapped or harmed. Thus, skinks from the genus Mabuya dwell in South America, which can be attributed to the true viviparous. What’s even more particular to the bearded dragon is that although the lizards are technically male, they behave and reproduce as females and lay twice the amount of eggs … In general, incubation temperatures higher than about 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) transform genetically male reptiles into lizards that are functionally female — that is, capable of laying viable eggs. Some lizard species lay multiple clutches during the breeding season. Female side-blotched lizards lay clutches with an average of 5.1 eggs and a maximum of 9 eggs in a single clutch. Yes, even a female bearded dragon that lives alone can lay eggs. Some lizards lay only one egg. Why do lizards lay eggs and reproduce like mammals has a simple reasoning. while other species like veileds and panthers lay eggs I have two eggs that my leopard gecko laid, in an incubator. The Pogona … Female geckos can lay eggs without mating. You can expect a dozen eggs total from each female. Synopsis: Some reptiles lay eggs and others deliver live young.