Laying eggs isn’t just for birds. Many reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, arachnids, and even some mammals lay eggs too. Except for reptiles, not all animals from these classes typically lay eggs. This means that all birds and reptiles lay eggs.
Do all amphibians lay eggs?
While almost all amphibians lay eggs, not every species does so. Some species that don’t lay eggs are toads, frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. They hold their young through the process of internal fertilization, similar to humans.
Do all fishes lay eggs?
All fishes produce eggs, however, not all fishes lay them down. Livebearers, a classification of fish, keep eggs inside their bodies and give birth when they’re hatched. This means that livebearers don’t lay eggs, technically speaking.
Do all insects lay eggs?
Almost all insects lay eggs. However, there is only one known species of insect that doesn’t lay eggs, aphids. Aphids are viviparous animals, meaning that they produce live offspring instead of eggs.
Do all arachnids lay eggs?
Arachnids are generally egg-laying animals, except for scorpions. Scorpions are the only specie of arachnids that don’t lay eggs and are able to give live birth, similar to humans and other mammals.
Are there mammals that lay eggs?
Surprisingly, there is only one order of mammals that can produce eggs, the monotreme. There are only two existing monotremes today, which are platypuses and echidnas. These two follow all the characteristics of a mammal except for one, live birth reproduction.
Conclusion
Yes, many animals lay eggs besides birds. Reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, arachnids, and even some mammals are capable of laying eggs. However, not all species within these classes do so, however, with some exceptions like livebearers or aphids. Whether they lay their eggs directly on the ground or inside the body of another animal, there are many fascinating ways that animals reproduce.
