How do reptiles & amphibians reproduce?
Reptiles ALL use internal fertilization, they copulate (have intercourse) similar to other animals although the male reptile whether it is a tortoise, snake, lizard, or crocodile, has two “penises”! These are each called a hemipenis and they are inserted into the female’s cloaca (opening for defecation and reproduction) Generally only one hemipenis is inserted at one time, depending on the side the male is on. The female carries the eggs and the males goes his seperate way. The female reptile lays the eggs OR gives live birth depending on the species. Crocodilians, Turtles, and Tuatara (rare species of reptile) ALL LAY EGGS. Some lizards and some snakes have live birth. ALL boas (including the anaconda) have live birth while ALL pythons lay eggs, for example. Although some species like crocodilians look after the young when they are born…Nearly all reptiles lay their eggs or give birth and move along…never meeting their young (many would eat them if they did!) The young are born wi