Organisms have different methods of reproduction. To tell the truth, these different reproductive methods are the factors that divide animals into two categories: viviparous and oviparous animals. But more on that in a bit, here's a blog on the many different animals that lay eggs! Do you want to know about animals that lay eggs? Nature's way of maintaining the ecological balance on earth is something special. For example, Mother Nature has endowed living animals with the ability to go through the process of labor to directly give birth to their own kind. Whereas, oviparous animals lay eggs that give birth to young as soon as they hatch. Now, if you are stuck wondering because nature has allocated different reproductive processes to different animals, then we are just as clueless as you! However, you can acknowledge the fact that every process created by nature is purposeful. For example, if nature has given birds the ability to lay eggs to produce their offspring, it may be for their own benefit. The main reason for this is that birds cannot fly while carrying the weight of their young. By laying their eggs in a remote location, they thereby safeguard both themselves and their offspring. We also understand how interested you are in learning about the ovoid animal species. So, read on to know more about the complex egg-laying process and a description of the top 13 animals that lay eggs. Animals That Lay Eggs If we were to list all oviparous animals, you would get tired of reading the never-ending list! A large number of prominent species in the animal kingdom are oviparous, including insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and even some mammals. So, if you are ready to know about 13 animals that lay eggs, connect with us! Birds Birds are the first members of our list of animals that lay eggs. Birds are the most lively and colorful species of the animal kingdom, somewhat related to the ancient family of reptiles, the dinosaurs. They are a very unique creation of nature because they are the only animals with feathers that are known to exist on Earth. These warm-blooded vertebrates are also known to be closest to reptiles due to the rough shape of their feet. The largest birds alive today are the North African ostriches, which can reach 9 feet in height and weigh up to 350 pounds. The ostrich egg is the largest of any other bird species. On the other hand, the smallest extant birds are Cuban native hummingbirds weighing less than 3 grams. Also, the bird's feathers make them stand out among every other species. However, having wings does not guarantee a bird's ability to fly. There are several flightless birds, including penguins, kiwis and ostriches, which, although they have wings, cannot fly due to some evolution that took place over the years. Also, bird eggs have a hard shell that ensures safety and are laid in secluded areas like bird nests, such as a treetop or an abandoned room. The parents fulfill the responsibility of taking care it...

1. Animals That Lay Eggs (with Pictures)
Organisms have different methods of reproduction. To tell the truth, these different
reproductive methods are the factors that divide animals into two categories: viviparous and
oviparous animals. But more on that in a bit, here’s a blog on the many different animals that
lay eggs!
Do you want to know about animals that lay eggs?
Nature’s way of maintaining the ecological balance on earth is something special. For
example, Mother Nature has endowed living animals with the ability to go through the
process of labor to directly give birth to their own kind.
Whereas, oviparous animals lay eggs that give birth to young as soon as they hatch.
Now, if you are stuck wondering because nature has allocated different reproductive
processes to different animals, then we are just as clueless as you!
However, you can acknowledge the fact that every process created by nature is purposeful.
For example, if nature has given birds the ability to lay eggs to produce their offspring, it may
be for their own benefit.
The main reason for this is that birds cannot fly while carrying the weight of their young. By
laying their eggs in a remote location, they thereby safeguard both themselves and their
offspring.
We also understand how interested you are in learning about the ovoid animal species.
So, read on to know more about the complex egg-laying process and a description of the top
13 animals that lay eggs.

2. Animals That Lay Eggs
If we were to list all oviparous animals, you would get tired of reading the never-ending list!
A large number of prominent species in the animal kingdom are oviparous, including insects,
birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and even some mammals.
So, if you are ready to know about 13 animals that lay eggs, connect with us!
Birds
Birds are the first members of our list of animals that lay eggs. They are the most lively and
colorful species of the animal kingdom, somewhat related to the ancient family of reptiles,
the dinosaurs.

3. They are a very unique creation of nature because they are the only animals with feathers that
are known to exist on Earth. These warm-blooded vertebrates are also known to be closest to
reptiles due to the rough shape of their feet.
The largest birds alive today are the North African ostriches, which can reach 9 feet in height
and weigh up to 350 pounds. The ostrich egg is the largest of any other bird species.
On the other hand, the smallest extant birds are Cuban native hummingbirds weighing less
than 3 grams.
Also, the bird’s feathers make them stand out among every other species.
However, having wings does not guarantee a bird’s ability to fly. There are several flightless
birds, including penguins, kiwis and ostriches, which, although they have wings, cannot fly
due to some evolution that took place over the years.
Also, bird eggs have a hard shell that ensures safety and are laid in secluded areas like bird
nests, such as a treetop or an abandoned room. The parents then fulfill the responsibility of
taking care of their children until they are fully grown.
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Crocodiles

4. Animals That Lay Eggs
Crocodiles are currently among the largest and most dangerous reptiles on Earth. They are
closely related to their somewhat similar counterparts, crocodiles, and are descendants of an
ancient family of dinosaurs.
The anatomy of crocodiles is quite interesting. The tough and rough skin protects them from
attacks by predators, and the tan-to-olive body coat allows for better camouflage. Moreover,
the large tail enables them to move easily through the water.
These huge reptiles are very fond of living in brackish water bodies. They submerge
themselves completely underwater, very cleverly looking for potential prey to pounce on.
Their strong jaws and teeth allow them to easily kill their targets.
As these species mate, the female lays several eggs in a nest made of soil and leaves covered
with plants to provide warmth for the eggs during incubation until they hatch.
Interestingly enough, crocodile eggshells are thin and leathery, which protects them from
drying out in extremely dry environments and protects them from predators.

5. Turtles/Tortoise
Turtles are cute animals known for their characteristic hard shells and short legs that ensure
they never run fast!
These adaptable species know how to adjust to almost any climate, which is why they are
ubiquitous throughout the world.
Turtles are water lovers who spend a large part of their lives in water. Sea turtles are typically
those that only come ashore to lay their eggs and immediately return to the water.
Tortoises, on the other hand, are earth-loving, preferring to stay on the ground and even in
deep burrows on hot days.
Also, all turtles are oviparous and lay their eggs in nests on sand beaches. Females travel to
the beach to lay eggs, usually about 110 eggs at a time, cover them with sand and retreat
immediately to return unprotected.

6. Read Also: The Cutest Turtles
Frogs
Frogs are small amphibians known for their large round eyes and thin skin. These hopping
creatures are found in abundance in every part of the world.
In addition to their normal green appearance, the colored varieties, although they look
exceptionally beautiful, have poisonous skins that are capable of killing humans!
Frogs are water-loving creatures that like to live near ponds and areas surrounded by trees.
Moreover, these species take about three months to reach maturity after which they are able
to mate.
The way these animals produce their offspring is unique. A male frog pounces on a
submerged female. She immediately lays eggs in the water which are fertilized by sperm
released by the male in an instant.

7. After about 20 days of incubation, the egg hatches into a tadpole. The number of these
tadpoles hatching together can be about 5000 or even more, depending on the number of eggs
laid by the female.
Fish
Fish are marine vertebrates with specific anatomy and behavior. For example, these beautiful
species have gills that help them breathe and fins that allow them to swim.
More than several thousand species of fish live in the Earth’s deepest aquifers, and there may
be many more species that scientists have yet to discover.
Each type of fish comes with unique colors and patterns that are mainly influenced by their
habitats to jump well.

8. In addition, there are two methods of reproduction involving fish populations: the spawning
method and the live birth method, where the offspring develop and hatch in an egg inside the
female’s body. Such animal species are called ovoviviparous.
A female fish is capable of releasing thousands of eggs into the water, which are fertilized
immediately after being released by the male’s sperm. However, only a few of these fish
become adults, while the rest either die or are eaten by potential predators.
Read Also: Cutest Animals in The World
Snakes

9. Animals That Lay Eggs

10. Snakes are long and scaly reptiles that are among the most feared animals on earth. They are
closely related to their fellow reptiles, the lizards, and are found in almost every part of the
world except Antarctica.
Vipers can grow up to 4 inches long and 20 feet!
Snakes can be divided into venomous and non-venomous categories, where venomous ones
have built-in fungi in their mouths to poison and poison their prey.
On the other hand, non-venomous snakes, although capable of biting, prefer not to attack
their prey in a conventional manner. Instead, they squirm around the prey and choke it to
death.
Rattlesnakes undergo internal fertilization to produce their offspring. However, not every
species of snake is oviparous. Some species, such as rattlesnakes, are oviparous that give live
births. However, a greater proportion of the population of these reptiles is ovulatory.
A female lays about 15-30 eggs at a time and protects them by hiding them in nests built in
isolated areas or coiling them to attack any potential predators.
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Lizards

11. Animals With Scales
Lizards are animals that lay eggs and reptiles belonging to the order Squamata. These evil
creatures exist in thousands of different species that exist in every corner of the world.
Lizards are a somewhat unique family of reptiles with the ability to regrow their separate
tails. Their colorful bodies can change color according to their surroundings, providing
effective camouflage against predators.
The largest lizard currently on the planet is the Komodo dragon. They weigh over 350 pounds
and are about 10 feet long. In contrast, the smallest living lizard is the nano chameleon,
which is less than an inch long!
Number 7 in the list of animals that lay eggs. The female lizard lays her eggs in a secluded
area, leaving them to mature independently. The number of eggs laid can vary depending on
the size of the lizard, including about 35-40 small eggs or a few large eggs.

12. Duck-billed Platypus
The duck-billed platypus is an egg-laying mammal. Scientifically known as a monotreme,
with a duck-like beak and floppy feet to aid in swimming.
Amazingly, they are one of the few mammals capable of producing venom. Mostly through
their feet, which is not considered fatal to humans but can cause severe pain.
A point of interest about these species is that they are one of only five mammal species
capable of laying eggs to produce their own offspring.
A month after a successful mating session, a female lays two to three very soft eggs. Their
hatching period is ten days. During this time she hovers around the eggs to protect them until
the young are safe and healthy.

13. Spiny Ant-Eaters (Echidnas)
The four species of echidnas are the eastern, western, and Sir David’s long-beaked echidna.
And the short-beaked echidna is the only mammal after the duck-billed platypus that lay eggs
common in Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania found.
These critters have a long tube-like beak with which they breathe and eat. Their scaly body
consists of a muscular layer of skin that gives them immense strength to navigate difficult
terrain with ease.
Their reproductive cycle begins after the mating season ends. Females develop an extra layer
of skin that acts as a pouch to store their leathery eggs.
After hatching, the baby remains in the pouch to feed on the mother’s body until it develops
spines that disturb the mother.
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14. Seahorses
Seahorses are ranked tenth on the list of animals that lay eggs. They, although they belong to
the fish family, do not look like normal fish because they have horse-like heads and bony
bodies instead of scales.
These cute little creatures live in shallow water near coral reefs or mangroves. Their ability to
change color according to their surroundings gives them excellent camouflage.
These are the slowest swimming fishes with a small fin on their back which, although it
rotates very quickly, does not contribute much to the swimming speed of these species.
The way this fish species mate is very attractive. They perform a salutation dance with their
mate by wrapping their unusual tails around each other and twisting and turning in the water.
Moreover, in these unique species, there is a male that gives birth. The female deposits eggs
in a pouch on the male’s abdomen, which are fertilized by the male and left for incubation.

15. Smaller seahorses emerge after a while in the hundreds and thousands.
Insects
Insects form the largest class of species in the animal kingdom. They are distinguished by
their segmented bodies, exoskeletons, and pairs of antennae.
These small creatures may have wings that would have given them significant importance in
today’s world. Due to their ability to fly and control the environment.
Insects have different methods of reproduction. The majority of these species, including fleas
and cockroaches, are oviparous. That means they actively mate to generate fertilized eggs
that will eventually give rise to new life.
After hatching, the baby insects molt. A process where they shed their skin to grow and
develop new and larger bodies.

16. Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs belong to the crustacean family and surprisingly, do not fall into the category of
a typical crab.
These aquatic creatures have soft stomachs. To protect them, they find seashells to cover their
bodies.
Like seahorses, hermit crabs prefer to live in shallow waters near coral reefs. However, there
are also some species of land-loving hermit crabs.
Female hermit crabs have pleopods in their stomachs where they attach and carry their
developed eggs. Thousands of eggs can be laid in water by a typical female. Another
interesting one is for animals that lay eggs.
Spiders

17. The last member of our list of animals that lay eggs is spiders. Spiders are reptiles belonging
to the arachnid family (they are not insects). Except for Antarctica, they are present almost
everywhere.
These reptilian critters can be venomous and attack their prey with their teeth. Which contain
glands to produce and secrete venom.
These oviparous animals fertilize the eggs of their female offspring. The female lays
thousands of eggs and entangles them in a bag made of woven silk. Spider eggs are mostly
left to hatch and grow independently without the care of their parents.
Final Words On Animals That Lay Eggs
It is quite interesting to explore the different characteristics and behaviors of animals. The
way these creatures make their way and thrive in this human-dominated world is admirable.
However, not every species can survive in an environment susceptible to changes due to
human activities.

18. Climate change, deforestation, urbanization, etc. Basically means that some of these species
of the animal kingdom are wiped off the face of the earth due to their inability to adapt to
these changes.
So instead of making the world a living hell for these species, we should engage in wildlife
conservation.