What Kinds of Animals Lay Eggs?
Animals that lay eggs are known as oviparous animals and include fish, birds, reptiles and insects. These types of animals have little to no other development within the mother. Mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth are known as monotremes.
Animals that lay eggs are known as oviparous animals and include fish, birds, reptiles and insects. These types of animals have little to no other development within the mother. Mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth are known as monotremes.
Oviparous animals develop inside the egg while inside the mother’s body. The birth is known as ovoviviparity. These animals mostly get their nourishment from the egg yolk instead of the mother’s body. Monotremes, mammals that lay eggs, are limited to the platypus and several species of spiny anteaters. These animals form an umbilical cord to the egg which feeds the baby inside the egg until hatched. These mammals are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea.
Bird eggs are often laid even when they are not fertilized. These eggs are harvested for human consumption. The most common unfertilized eggs that are consumed include chicken eggs and duck eggs. Pet female birds, such as cockatiels and parakeets often lay eggs in their cage, even if they are not accompanied by a male bird. Other animals, such as fish, frogs and arthropods, lay unfertilized eggs that are required to complete the fertilization process outside of the body.This process is known as ovuliparity.
