Reptile Life Cycles
STARTING FROM AN EGG, SOMETIMES
Most reptiles lay eggs, but some give birth to live young. All our reptiles mate in the spring. Reptiles have a cloaca, a single opening for mating and their waste (poop). Males have a penis that is put into the female's cloaca. His sperm fertilizes her eggs inside her body.
Red-sided Garter Snakes mating.
Reptile eggs have a soft, leathery shell. Manitoba's turtles, some of our snakes and our one lizard lay eggs. The eggs are laid on land usually in holes dug by the females. Eggs are usually laid in June or July and hatch by late summer or early autumn. Some snakes give birth to live young. They are born in late summer or early autumn. Adult reptiles do not care for their young.
The young of reptiles hatch or are born looking like small adults. The are usually called juveniles. They must grow for several years before they are large enough to find mates of their own and start the cycle again.
HOW OLD
Snakes and lizards usually live for 7 to 10 years. Turtles can live 50 to 70 years!
WHERE THEY BREED
Reptile eggs have to be laid on land. If a turtle, snake or lizard nest gets covered in water the eggs will die. Eggs are laid on land in or near the habitat where they live. Live-bearing snakes give birth in their summer habitat.
You will learn more when you read about each kind of reptile.
Next: The Skin of Amphibians and Reptiles
Or back to: About Amphibians and Reptiles or the Front Page
