Crocodiles can seem like mindless killing machines. To communicate with each other, they noted only a few facial sounds and signals. And yet, in relations with each other, crocodiles demonstrate surprisingly complex elements of social and sexual behavior. They communicate using a wide range of sounds, smells and movements. Moreover, unlike everyone else, crocodiles guard their nests and take care of their cubs. - polygamous animals, that is, their male mates with several females. To attract the attention of potential partners, he floats on the surface of the water, showing himself, and from time to time makes a loud sound, clapping his chin on the water. These demonstrations also attract male competitors who try to win back the position by competing in headbutts. Females evaluate males, and before mating express their favor by touching the head of the chosen one or blowing bubbles under water.
Shortly after mating, the female digs a nesting hole. The details of this process vary between species, but the example of the Nile crocodile is the most typical. The female finds a suitable place: warmed by the sun, with soft ground, about 50 m from the water. There are quite a few such places, so the same ones are used from year to year, and the females fight for them with each other. After digging the nest with strong hind legs, the female positions herself above the depression to start laying her eggs. Young females lay only about 20 eggs, while older ones can lay up to 80 eggs in an hour. Then the female crocodile buries the clutch and remains to guard it. During this time, she does not feed, leaving the nest only to drink. But still, fast predators like mongooses, foxes and monitor lizards can steal an egg or two.

Usually crocodile eggs are incubated for about 60-100 days, depending on the temperature. When the young are ready to hatch and hear footsteps above them, they begin to make loud cries. The mother digs up the eggs and helps the young hatch. The roar carefully picks up the hatched cubs and arranges them one by one in its toothy mouth. After picking up a few pieces, she carries them in her mouth to a safe, quiet "baby" pond, where she releases them into the water. She then quickly returns to the nest for the next batch. As a result, all the cubs, together with their mother, end up in a safe children's pond.
For the next few weeks, the crocodiles stay close to their mother. At the slightest danger, the female begins to vibrate her muscles. These vibrations, passing through the soil into the water, are a signal for her offspring to dive deeper. In some crocodile species, the male also helps protect the young. But if there is not enough food, he can eat one of his offspring!

Alligators and caimans lay their eggs in a heap they scoop up from plants, soil, and fallen leaves. Usually a pile is 1.8 m in diameter and 90 cm high. Female alligators also carefully guard eggs and cubs. The gender of the crocodiles is determined by the incubation temperature. From the eggs of the Mississippi alligator, which were in the nest at a temperature of 32-34 ̊̊С, males appear, and from eggs that were at a temperature below 30 ̊̊С, females are obtained. If the eggs were incubated at a temperature of 30 to 32 ̊̊С, both females and males are born. In real crocodiles, high and low temperatures cause the appearance of females, and at medium temperatures, males are born.
Like many large predators, crocodiles and alligators are killed out of fear of their danger. But the main reason for hunting them: valuable skin. The mass production of crocodile leather clothing, belts, shoes and bags has brought many species to the brink of extinction. Today, some types of crocodiles are bred on special farms. But others, such as the gharial, remain extremely rare.

Crocodiles are oviparous reptiles that are born twice - the first time in the form of eggs, the second - in the form of a small exact replica of adults at a scale of 1: 4000. The question of what appeared earlier - a crocodile or an egg is still open, especially since the first representatives of this subclass were born about 250 million years ago, and have survived unchanged to the present. Crocodiles originate from dinosaurs, and, like real old-timers, during their existence they learned to dominate other animal species, so it is not surprising that in their habitats they are at the top of the food chain and have no natural enemies.

How do crocodiles reproduce?

Sexual maturity in crocodiles occurs at 8-10 years, the mating season begins in the rainy season. Males at this time become aggressive towards rivals, and loyal to females. Fights happen almost all the time. Before starting the fight, the opponents look at each other appraisingly, then raise the body above the water and begin to fight. The muzzle raised above the water becomes a signal to end the fight - the losing opponent leaves, and the winner proceeds to courtship of the females.

Usually crocodiles protect their territory very jealously from both females and males, but during the mating season they allow females into their possessions in order to realize the instinct of reproduction.

Reproduction of crocodiles occurs in this way: the male chooses a female and tries to push her into the water, where mating takes place. During the mating season, both females and males mate several times with different partners. After that, the males leave, and the females look for a place to build a nest.

Most often, a female crocodile builds a nest near a pond, at the same time, trying to make it on a hill so that they are not flooded with rainwater, which can simply wash away the nest along with the laying of eggs. Such phenomena during the rainy season are not uncommon.

The female builds a nest from nearby materials - tropical crocodiles make a nest from grass, fallen leaves, and other plant debris, mixing it with the ground. The females of the gharial also bury their eggs in the sand. The combed crocodile, as well as the Mississippian alligator, make mounds up to one and a half meters high and up to 1 meter wide from leaves and grass and lay their eggs in a hole made on the top of the hill. Sprinkle the masonry with grass on top to create a microclimate for the eggs with the required temperature and humidity. The normal temperature for the development of cubs is in the range of 30-35 degrees.

One female lays from 10 to 100 eggs fertilized by different partners, because during the rut she mated with different males. Laying occurs a few weeks after mating, most often at night. In shape and size, crocodile eggs resemble duck eggs.

The number of eggs in a clutch depends on the type of crocodile - a female of a smooth-headed caiman lays up to 10 pieces at a time, a blunt-nosed crocodile - 15-30 pieces, a Mississippian alligator - from 50 to 60 pieces, large Nile and combed crocodiles lay up to 100 pieces of eggs.

Crocodile eggs have their own characteristics that distinguish them from bird eggs. The development of offspring in them begins even at the time when they are in the womb, at the time of laying, there are already embryos in the eggs.

Crocodiles will be born in about three months, all this time the female crocodile is not far from the nest and protects the eggs from birds and small predators who are not averse to eating her future offspring.

The sex of crocodiles depends on the temperature in the nest - more males will be born in a warm place, more females in a cold one. The egg shell becomes so strong during incubation that the babies are not able to break through it on their own, in order to get out they have to call their mother for help, and she comes. Crocodiles in eggs make croaking sounds that the mother hears, she digs up the eggs and transfers them to the water, finding the safest place.

Surprisingly, the female crocodile can simultaneously transfer turtle eggs into the water, which make their nests near the nests of the crocodile, hoping not that she will not let animals and birds that ruin the masonry close to this place. Baby turtles are born at the same time as crocodiles, but they can run to the water themselves.

Small crocodiles are very nimble and fast, it is not easy to catch them, they manage to avoid death in the mouth of predatory fish or animals hunting in the water. The mother does not feed the cubs with either milk or prey - they take care of their own food. For the first few days, babies can live off the remnants of the yolk sacs, and do not feel hungry, then they begin to hunt small fish, frogs and other animals. Crocodiles have been able to hunt since childhood, they can hide and wait for prey for hours, but if it is not there, they feed on aquatic vegetation. Babies get this method of hunting from their parents genetically, or by copying their habits.

First, the parent protects the offspring from the danger that comes from adult crocodiles, waterfowl, turtles and other predators. However, she is not able to keep track of everyone, besides, her guardianship lasts only a few weeks, after which the kids are left without protection and care. According to scientists, only 1% of masonry crocodiles reach maturity, the rest become prey for other representatives of the fauna. But the surviving individuals occupy a dominant position and are not afraid of anyone.

On average, a crocodile in the wild can live up to 100 years, but due to human extermination, most often they live only 40-50 years.

Breeding in captivity

Crocodiles rarely breed in captivity, but if the right conditions are created, offspring can also appear in a terrarium. Most often they are propagated on farms in countries with a warm climate, their requirements for air and water temperature, as well as feed are too high. Crocodiles are bred for meat, expensive leather, and for sale to zoos.

During the mating season, crocodiles are taken care of especially carefully, bringing the temperature, the degree of illumination and food back to normal. To obtain healthy offspring, crocodiles at this time also need ultraviolet rays, which are so abundant in nature, but few in a zoo or farm.

Ultraviolet allows reptiles to better absorb minerals, which is especially important for the reproduction and growth of crocodiles. To bring this indicator back to normal, ultraviolet lamps are installed in the terrarium.

For mating games and flirting, reptiles need a lot of space, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe terrarium should be spacious enough, and a natural pond or aquarium should be just as spacious.

What else do crocodiles need to breed in captivity? Of course, good nutrition, animals are given foods and feed additives with a high content of phosphorus, calcium and potassium. All these substances are especially necessary for females in order for the offspring to be healthy and not have problems with teeth and the musculoskeletal system.

The female is intensively fed even after laying eggs, to replenish the vitamins and microelements spent on the formation of eggs.

Mating is carried out at a time when the reptiles reach sexual maturity, at 5-7 years. Most often, their rut occurs in November-December, but eggs are laid in the spring. Timing and method vary slightly between species of crocodiles, as caimans mate and lay eggs all year round.

Under natural conditions, the female mates with several males, which increases the level of egg fertilization; in captivity, when mating with only one partner, the number of fertilized eggs may be less.

For laying eggs in captivity, the female must have enough suitable material - sand, earth, leaves, dried grass. Babies from laid eggs will appear in 3.5-4 months - depending on the type of reptile.

Otherwise, everything happens the same way as in the wild - the crocodiles themselves cannot get out of the hardened egg, the mother is called, and she transfers the eggs into the water, slightly breaking the shell to make it easier for the kids to go free. In the mouth of the female there are special receptors that do not allow her to crush the eggs completely and kill the brood. She very carefully carries the cubs to the water, and does not harm them.

Crocodile babies are born 15-20 cm long, but grow rapidly, and by two years they reach a length of 1-1.5 meters, depending on the species.

In terrariums, they try to feed babies in the same way as in natural conditions - frogs, small fish, mice, leeches. Young animals are fed every other day, as crocodiles digest food for a long time. At one time, the animal receives feed, up to 10% of body weight.

Since the mother does not feed the babies, they are transplanted to another compartment, it is easier to feed them, and the water temperature for them should be higher.

Crocodile is the largest reptile in the world! But how do crocodiles reproduce? The rainy season, like for many representatives of the fauna, is the time for the breeding of crocodiles. Male crocodiles are constantly looking for fights. Rivals, before entering into battle, first evaluate each other. If the opponent does not blink and the body raised above the water responds in kind, a short fight will follow. The fact that the opponent surrenders is signaled by a raised muzzle above the water.

Having won, the dominant male crocodile focuses his attention on the females. With mature females, he will mate all months while the water is standing. Mating takes place in the same place, in the water. Both females and males mate with different partners. Then the males leave the females, and then all care for the offspring falls on the females.

At any other time of the year, a male crocodile would never let a female close to his territory, and during the mating season their communication seems almost tender. Soon after the male leaves, the female should think about the nest. Finding safe places is not easy. The female is looking for a place near the water, located high enough so that it is not flooded. She can build several nests before settling on any one. After laying eggs, flooding will be the worst danger to the nest. During the peak of the rainy season, it rains from the sky almost every day. Dry land can become a water-covered riverbed in a matter of hours.

Having chosen the place she likes, the female crocodile fiercely guards it. Eggs become her only priority. About six weeks after mating, the female crocodile is ready to lay them. The laying of eggs takes place at night in pitch darkness, therefore, how crocodiles breed for a long time could not be filmed until the appropriate technique appeared. Now everything is known about crocodiles.

The breeding process begins with the fact that the female opens the nest, which she had previously diligently built. Short digging intervals, alternating with frequent breaks. One large female crocodile can lay up to 80 eggs. They were fertilized by more than one male, as other males also mated with her. Having laid eggs, the female crocodile again throws them leaves. They will protect the nest and keep the eggs from freezing. The optimal temperature for the development of crocodile eggs ranges from 30 to 34 degrees.

After spending almost three months in the nest, newborn crocodiles begin to climb out of the shell. Temperature fluctuations in the nest determine who will appear - females or males. From colder eggs, females are born. Of the warmer, stronger and faster growing males. So by the will of evolution, those individuals who are more likely to grow large become males. In females, even small individuals usually find a mate.

Nature has found a way to select sizes from males, even before they are born. The cubs begin to call their mother while still in the shell. They would need her help to get out of the nest, which had hardened into a concrete-hard fortress. Her first parental responsibility is to dig up the babies. Then, things get more complicated. With her mouth with pointed teeth, she carries them from the nest to a safe place in the water. Catching a baby crocodile is not easy. Following their instincts, they intelligently move away from the jaws of other animals.

As soon as the female carries several newborn crocodiles to a safe place in the water, others, hearing their cries, will follow them. In the water, crocodile cubs take care mostly of themselves, by themselves. The mother tries to look after them for a few more weeks and yet they are easy prey for birds, turtles, fish and even other crocodiles. If they survive and grow, they will be at the very top of the food chain, but for now they are at the very bottom of it. Of all the born crocodiles, only 1% eventually reach maturity.

Turtles lay eggs, from which, after a certain period, cubs hatch. Newborn turtles do not need parental care and are able to take care of themselves.

Turtles rarely breed in captivity. Breeding turtles is a painstaking and responsible work that only experienced specialists can do. However, the first to achieve good results was an amateur who devoted many years to his work, so do not despair if you do not immediately get offspring.

One of the keys to success in breeding reptiles is patience.

In order for turtles kept at home to start breeding, they need to provide them with the right conditions: proper nutrition, hibernation, suitable habitat and relative freedom of movement.

For successful reproduction, in addition to observing all conditions of detention, it is advisable to place several individuals of the same species in one pen or terrarium. When forming a group, the correct ratio of the number of females and males is important, which contributes to the manifestation of elements of mating behavior in these animals. In freshwater turtles, this ratio is approximately 2:1, and in land turtles in most cases it is 3:1.

In addition, when choosing animals, their age must be taken into account - sexually mature, but not old individuals should be selected, which must first be checked by a veterinarian. Sick or weakened animals most likely will not give offspring.

The red-eared turtle can mate throughout the year. In a terrarium, the mating season usually falls at the beginning of spring, the female lays eggs from July to September.

A group of selected turtles should be carefully observed for some time to determine how ready they are for mating and breeding. If a relationship has been established between individuals of different sexes, the rest of the turtles must be moved to another place.

It is interesting to watch the mating games of turtles both in natural conditions and at home. Both water and land turtles often manifest themselves during the breeding season from a completely different side than in ordinary life.

Males of land species often fight among themselves, seeking the favor of their chosen female. They push, trying to hook each other with their shells to turn them on their backs. Female turtles do not always prefer those males who won the fight. They can choose both the defeated and the male who did not participate in the battle.

Turtles, like other reptiles, after building a nest and laying eggs, do not care about their offspring at all, and little turtles appear already completely ready for independent life.

In nature, water turtles lay their eggs in the coastal sand, burying them near the reservoir. Land tortoises bury their eggs in a hole dug in the ground. Under natural conditions, mating in most turtle species occurs in April-May, and offspring are born the following spring.

When preparing for breeding, foods containing vitamin E should be added to the turtles' food. In nature, in most species of turtles, the breeding season begins immediately after hibernation ends, so it is recommended that animals hibernate for several months.

Little turtles that have just hatched from eggs already see well and orient themselves mainly with the help of vision. Under natural conditions, young water turtles reach the water on their own a few minutes after birth, most likely orienting themselves by the level of illumination of the water, which is higher than the illumination of land, even at night.

During the breeding season, turtles need to create comfortable conditions: do not disturb them, exclude all extraneous noise and vibration, try to touch animals as little as possible. At home, if you decide to breed, you need to take care of the place where the eggs will be located in advance.

In order for freshwater turtles to start mating games, the water temperature in the terrarium or aquarium must be 22-26 ° C. On land, a place should be prepared where the female will lay her eggs. You can dig a small hole in the sand or soil and place a container with sphagnum moss there so that it is flush with the land. After the female lays eggs, the container should be removed and placed in an incubator. The temperature in the incubator should be maintained at 28-30°C.

After 2-3 months, depending on the type of turtle, little turtles will emerge from the eggs. They should be immediately placed in an aquaterrarium or aquarium. They eat almost the same as adult turtles, with the exception of plant foods.

The birth of a baby Balkan tortoise

Newborn baby turtles, like other reptiles, have the remnants of the yolk sac, which disappear a few days after birth, as well as a special egg tooth, with which they cut the shell. In addition, in the first days after hatching from eggs, turtles can see a transverse fold on the plastron - a consequence of the bent position of the cub inside the egg.

Turtle eggs should be placed in a container filled with sand and kept in an incubator at 28-32°C. If you don't have an incubator, you can use an ordinary glass jar or an aquarium filled with sand, which should be regularly moistened. You can heat such an incubator with a conventional incandescent lamp. You can put the incubator next to the central heating battery.

Turtle eggs have a calcareous, sometimes leathery shell, oval in shape. Their sizes vary depending on the type of animal. The number of eggs in a clutch can be from 2 to 8 pieces in the Mediterranean and up to 70 pieces in the Far Eastern tortoise.

Eggs laid by turtles are not always fertilized. In order not to keep empty eggs in the incubator for several months, they need to be checked. To do this, you can build a primitive ovoscope: put a small electric light bulb, for example, from a flashlight, into a small cardboard box and cover the box with a lid in which an egg-shaped hole is cut, but a little smaller. To check the egg, you need to put it, without turning it over, on the hole and turn on the light. A darkening will be noticeable in the middle of a fertilized egg, and an empty one will transmit light evenly. When checking, it should be remembered that the longer the egg ripening period, the more accurate the result will be.

Eggs of land and water turtles, unlike bird eggs, should never be turned over, so they should be transferred to the incubator very carefully.

After the female lays her eggs, she should be kept separate from other animals for some time. The nutrition of the female for several weeks should be enhanced, since during this period the immunity of the turtles is weakened and they are more susceptible to various diseases.

If there are turtles, you need to try to save them all. In no case should they be placed in the same enclosure or terrarium with adult turtles, since these reptiles do not have a maternal instinct and they can harm the cubs.

snake breeding

Reproduction of all species of snakes occurs sexually. The courtship process is known as the "snake dance": the male chases the female, tries to stop her, presses her head to the ground, wraps his tail around her.

Snake eggs laid after mating usually have a parchment shell. There are oviparous and viviparous species of snakes.

During egg production, the embryo develops in an egg laid in the external environment.

During ovoviviparity, the embryo develops inside the mother's body, but at the expense of food reserves laid down in the egg. With this type of reproduction, the young appear enclosed in a shell, from which they are subsequently released.

Live birth - the appearance of a fully formed young in a transparent leathery shell, which immediately breaks.

Under natural conditions, the mating season for snakes is preceded by a long wintering period, which takes place in rodent burrows and other shelters. Some species of snakes, such as Amur snakes, adhere to individual sites that remain with them for several years.

Formed mating pairs return from wintering to their usual place where females lay their eggs.

Under natural conditions, the reproduction of snakes is, as a rule, seasonal. So, the period of activity of snakes is March-April, October-November. Mating time is from March to May. During the mating season, several dozen snakes accumulate in a certain place, forming a ball. After mating, males disperse, while females remain in place, carrying eggs. A female grass snake can lay up to 50 eggs. There are cases when up to 1200 snake eggs were found in one nest. In such places, the eggs are often glued together and look like one large clutch. Unlike other snake species, snake eggs can tolerate large fluctuations in ambient temperature without compromising embryo development.

Some species of snakes are able to lay fertilized eggs 2–3 years after mating, since the spermatozoa inside the female remain viable for a long time.

Garter snakes are viviparous. After several months of pregnancy, the female is born from 40 to 70 cubs.

The duration of pregnancy of snakes is different: in the Amur and Aesculapian snakes - 33-45 days, in the patterned snake - 60-70, in other representatives of the snake family - 48, in various species of pythons - 60-110.

When the pregnancy comes to an end, snakes build a nest of leaves and branches, arrange it in the hollows of low trees and under fallen trunks, in rodent burrows and anthills. In the laying of reptiles, there can be from 3 to 40 oval or elongated eggs, which differ in size depending on the type of animal. Coiling around the masonry, the snake warms the eggs with the help of muscle contractions. Some snakes simply bury their eggs in the ground, a pile of plant debris. Most snakes do not show further care for their offspring. But some species, such as the four-striped snake, king cobra and mud snake, guard the clutch until the young are born.

Captive-bred snakes do not need deep hibernation to start mating games. It is enough to separate the content, a slight decrease in temperature throughout the month and the cessation of feeding during this period. A month after wintering, females are planted with males for mating. The connection of a pair of snakes can be carried out at any time of the year, but usually the dates remain the same as for breeding in the wild - February-March.

For reproduction of reptiles in captivity, it is necessary to select a pair. The sex of the reptile is determined by the characteristics of color: females are less brightly colored. In addition, males have a longer tail and there is a thickening in the lower row of scales in the region of the anus. Sexual maturity of snakes depends on their age and body length. The length of the female must be at least 60 cm, the male - 50 cm.

During the breeding season and for the first time after it, the maintenance of snakes requires increased attention. Eliminating noise, creating comfortable conditions in the terrarium is necessary to increase the sexual activity of snakes. Feed with a high content of vitamins, phosphorus, calcium is introduced into the diet of animals. However, many females refuse food during the period of gestation and egg laying.

A female royal python can go without food for 8 months, from the moment of mating to the birth of offspring.

If the female takes care of the offspring, incubates the clutch, then it is possible to carry out incubation in natural conditions. At this time, the snake should not be disturbed, its behavior should be carefully observed in order to ensure normal conditions for the appearance of offspring. It is important to systematically monitor how the snake is located on the masonry in order to avoid its partial opening and temporary removal from it. This contributes to the rapid cooling of the eggs and can lead to disruption of the development of the embryos.

It is interesting to observe the behavior of snakes during natural incubation. Thus, a female green python lays up to 40 eggs and guards the clutch for about 50 days. Rolling around it, the reptile is able to regulate temperature and humidity, either completely closing the masonry with the rings of its body, or partially opening it for ventilation.

The maturation of green python eggs can also be successfully carried out in an incubator. A prerequisite for this is maintaining a high level of humidity.

The duration of the incubation period depends on the type of snake. In a terrarium, it usually takes place at a temperature of 27–30 ° C and an air humidity of 90%. This regimen is especially important for the red-backed snake, whose young are born in translucent egg shells.

In order to ensure the safety of young animals during natural incubation, it is desirable to place shelters for newborns in the terrarium, into which adult snakes could not penetrate. Such precautions reduce the possibility of eating offspring by parents.

In cases where natural incubation is not possible for a number of reasons, eggs should be removed from the terrarium in a timely manner. This is especially important for clutches consisting of a large number of large eggs that tend to stick together. Subsequently, because of this, difficulties may arise when transferring them to the incubator.

In order not to damage snake eggs, they should be handled very carefully. When moving eggs, you can not change their position, turn over, as this may adversely affect the further development of the embryos. This factor is most important for large snakes. For species that lay small eggs, such as common snake, it is not critical.

Artificial incubation is carried out in special incubators, consisting of a container, heating systems and maintaining humidity in sawdust, peat, moistened moss. The container can be a box made of glass, plexiglass, plywood.

An incubator is a container designed to contain eggs and hatch young reptiles. When equipping an incubator, take into account the temperature and humidity at which the development of animals will occur properly.

The temperature controller and the incandescent lamp are elements of the temperature control and maintenance system. A source of humidity, which can be used as a wide pan with water, and a device that regulates its level, a psychrometer, are components of a device for maintaining and controlling air humidity, increased for eggs with a shell and reduced for parchment.

The laying is monitored more carefully from the moment the first cut appears on the egg. Often, young snakes do not immediately leave the egg, but remain in it for a day. It is important to remember that the artificial extraction of snakes is unacceptable, as it leads to injuries and death of a newborn animal.

Amur snake laying

Young snakes about 12–20 cm long appear after a month. A week after the birth, the snakes begin to catch small insects, frogs, during the same period the first molt takes place. When feeding young animals, it should be borne in mind that they need more food than adults, and it should be given 2 times more often. Then, as it grows, the amount of food and the frequency of its intake is gradually reduced, bringing it to a level sufficient for an adult snake of a particular species.

The offspring grows rapidly: by 6 months the mass of snakes reaches 70 g, by the year - 100 g, the length exceeds 50 cm. Signs of sexual activity appear after a year, at 18 months the reptiles reach puberty and are ready for reproduction.

Lizard breeding

Reproduction of lizards occurs mainly sexually, with the exception of some species that reproduce by parthenogenesis. In this case, the offspring develops from the egg without its preliminary fertilization by the male.

Lizards are egg-laying animals. They lay shelled eggs that develop for several weeks outside the mother's body before hatching. However, some species of lizards have developed ovoviviparity. Their eggs are not covered by a shell and remain in the oviducts of the female until the completion of embryonic development. Subsequently, already hatched cubs are born.

In South American skinks, the eggs are devoid of yolk and develop in the oviducts, receiving nutrition from the mother through the placenta. The placenta in lizards is a special temporary formation on the wall of the oviduct, in which the capillaries of the mother and the embryo come close enough to each other so that the latter receives oxygen and nutrients from her blood.

The number of eggs or young in a brood can vary from 1–2 in large iguanas, skinks, and some geckos to 50 in other species.

Puberty in lizards usually depends on body size. In small species, it lasts less than a year, in large species - several years. In some small forms, most adults die after laying eggs.

If you are trying to get offspring from the lizards contained in the terrarium, you must provide them with a suitable temperature and humidity level, taking into account their species characteristics. Particular attention should be paid to creating calm conditions for reptiles. Scientists have found that under various stresses, the reproductive ability of lizards decreases, and in some cases, elements of mating behavior do not appear at all.

The size of the terrarium also matters. Some species need space to reproduce, and if you don't have enough space, you won't be able to get offspring.

For reproduction, individuals who have reached puberty are selected. They must be healthy, mobile, brightly colored. The size and proportions of the body should correspond to the average for each particular species.

It is important to properly form a lizard community. The following ratio of females and males is generally recommended: 3:1 for chameleons, geckos, iguanas and agamas, 3:2 for skinks and true lizards, 2:1 for monitor lizards. Males can be distinguished by bright coloration, larger than females, size, as well as behavior during the breeding season. Males of almost all species of lizards become very aggressive, their mating games take place in the form of fierce fights, when reptiles hiss, puff out their necks, make threatening movements and inflict sensitive bites on each other.

In some lizards, such as monitor lizards and gilatooths, it is sometimes difficult to determine the sex visually. In this case, special methods are used: in particular, a biochemical study can be carried out for the content of male hormones. In any doubtful cases, it is better to contact a specialist from a veterinary clinic.

If you intend to keep a large number of lizards together, you should consider that a stronger male can overwhelm the weak ones. Therefore, after the formation of groups for breeding, other reptiles are planted in a separate terrarium.

Lizards reproduce mainly sexually.

It should be noted that when breeding some species in captivity, such as chameleons, one should carefully select a pair and carefully monitor the behavior of reptiles, as they may simply not like each other.

To stimulate reproduction, it is necessary to imitate natural conditions. To do this, they first carry out artificial wintering for 4–8 weeks, during which they stop feeding, lower the ambient temperature, and reduce the length of daylight hours. During this period, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the reptiles. After the specified time, the lizards are placed in a terrarium and the temperature and humidity of the air are gradually increased. It is desirable to maintain lighting for 15-16 hours a day for 3 weeks before the start of the breeding season. To achieve the best effect, you can use ultraviolet irradiation, as well as introduce vitamins and special feed additives into the diet of lizards. It should be borne in mind that females of some species may refuse food during pregnancy.

For the successful development of young lizards, it is recommended to regularly irradiate with ultraviolet light. This facilitates the absorption of trace elements contained in the feed and reduces the risk of infectious diseases.

For certain types of lizards, such as geckos and chameleons, artificial wintering is not necessary. To stimulate mating behavior, males and females are kept separately for some time at a temperature of 3-4 ° C below normal, and then combined. For geckos, it is recommended to place the remains of the shell from previous clutches in the terrarium.

Most lizards only breed during certain seasons. Depending on the characteristics of a particular species, it can be both winter and spring-summer periods. Others may mate throughout the year, with multiple clutches. These natural features should be taken into account when keeping and breeding reptiles in captivity.

It can be seen that in lizards that have adapted to the conditions of the terrarium, the seasonal nature of reproduction often disappears, and they can lay eggs at any time.

The duration of pregnancy differs markedly in different species of lizards. In ovoviviparous reptiles, this period is longer, since all stages of embryo development take place in the mother's body. In egg-laying lizards, the gestation period is somewhat shorter.

Lizards, like other reptiles, prepare a nest for future offspring by digging a hole in the ground. Under natural conditions, they can lay their eggs in cracks and voids in the soil, in rodent burrows.

When breeding at home, it is important to ensure that the layer of sand or gravel is thick enough so that the animals can bury their eggs in it. For some species, pieces of bark can be placed in the terrarium, which both serve as a shelter and a place for attaching eggs.

In a terrarium, both natural and artificial incubation is possible. Some lizards can guard the clutch until the young are born. If you intend to transfer the clutch to the incubator, you should handle it very carefully, being careful not to damage the shell of the eggs.

Viviparous lizards often take care of their offspring not only in nature, but also in the terrarium. They protect babies from possible danger and take them to warm places.

Incubation usually occurs at a temperature of 28–31 ° C and lasts 50–60 days for geckos and skinks, 60–80 days for iguanas, 130 days for gila teeth, 170–180 days for the Cape monitor lizard, and up to 190 days for the common chameleon. days. The duration of incubation may depend on the ambient temperature, increasing with its decrease.

The humidity of the environment and the substrate in which the eggs are located is also important for the development of the embryos. The value of this parameter is individual for each specific view.

As food, newborn lizards are given various small insects: crickets, cockroaches, etc. Growing individuals can be given, depending on species preferences, pieces of fruit, cabbage and lettuce leaves, cottage cheese, newborn mice. For harmonious development, be sure to give vitamins and mineral supplements. Sometimes young lizards refuse food, so artificial feeding is necessary.

Reproduction of crocodiles

Crocodiles are egg-laying reptiles. They bring offspring on average once a year, laying several dozen eggs in a calcareous shell.

Breeding crocodiles in captivity is a fairly rare event. It becomes possible only under the right conditions of detention and proper feeding.

During the period of sexual activity, it is recommended to create calm conditions for reptiles, to choose the optimal temperature and light level in the terrarium. An important factor is ultraviolet radiation, which in nature crocodiles receive naturally.

It is necessary for reptiles for the normal assimilation of minerals and is especially important during the period of reproduction and growth of young animals. Therefore, when keeping crocodiles in a terrarium, it is necessary to install special ultraviolet lamps.

Since crocodiles are the largest of the reptiles kept in captivity, you should provide them with the appropriate area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe terrarium during the mating season so that they feel as comfortable as possible.

When breeding crocodiles at home, it is necessary to pay great attention to their diet: along with the usual feed during mating and pregnancy, give reptiles vitamin supplements and foods with a high content of calcium and phosphorus. With a lack of these substances, the offspring may have deviations in the development of the bones of the skeleton and teeth.

After laying eggs, the female should also be given food containing the necessary trace elements in order to replenish their supply in the body, used up in the process of bearing offspring.

In nature, crocodiles reach sexual maturity at five to seven years of age. Mating in many species of crocodiles usually occurs in November-December, they lay their eggs in the spring. Crocodile caimans can mate and lay eggs throughout the year.

Crocodiles usually form a pair only for the duration of breeding. However, there are cases when these reptiles maintained marital relations throughout their lives.

All types of crocodiles are characterized by mating games. Before entering into intimate relationships, adult males must defend the right to start a family in a certain territory.

The sizes of individual plots in representatives of different families are slightly different. So, for every male Mississippi alligator, there is an area of ​​​​several square kilometers.

The invasion of a stranger, especially during the mating season, ends with a decisive rebuff. Violent fights often have sad consequences: broken jaws of opponents, wounds on the body, etc.

The possessions of the Nile crocodile are limited to a 100-meter coastline and territorial waters along it. These animals are less bloodthirsty and during the mating season are limited to demonstrating their strength. Males take on warlike postures and make sharp sounds resembling a growl. At the same time, rivals seek to intimidate each other by blowing their tails on the surface of the water. The weaker male usually flees and the victor begins the courtship ritual.

Having overtaken the female, the crocodile begins to describe circles around her, trying to subdue her.

Before laying eggs, the female crocodile builds a nest. Nile crocodile and gharial females usually bury their eggs in coastal sand. The Mississippi alligator and combed crocodile build mounds of grass about 1.5 m high and up to 1 m wide, lay their eggs in depressions at the top of the nesting chamber, and cover them with grass from above to maintain a certain degree of humidity.

In a terrarium, the masonry site may be a pile of leaves mixed with sand, or a hole with a nesting chamber filled with the same mixture.

Crocodile eggs are similar in shape and size to duck eggs. Their number in the clutch varies depending on the type of crocodile: the smooth-fronted caiman has up to 10 pieces, the blunt-nosed crocodile and the crocodile caiman have 15–30 pieces, and the Mississippian alligator has 50–60 pieces. By the beginning of laying, there are already embryos in the eggs, since their development begins in the mother's womb.

small chinese alligator

The incubation period averages from 70 to 110 days. The temperature in the terrarium during incubation should be maintained at 31-32°C.

When the process of development of crocodiles in the egg comes to an end, they begin to make loud peculiar sounds that the female crocodile hears. She helps her offspring to be born, gently crushing each egg in her mouth and freeing the newborn crocodiles from the shell. One can observe how the female holds her cubs in her mouth without causing them any harm.

Having collected all newborn babies, the mother transfers them to a pre-prepared reservoir. Interestingly, such operations are sometimes performed by the male, who continues to patronize the cubs in the future.

At first, about 2-3 months after birth, small crocodiles stay close to their mother and do not leave their nest. Parents protect them from possible enemies, and kids are able to swim and get their own food on their own.

In a terrarium, young animals are given small fish, frogs, mice and insects as food. Young crocodiles are fed every other day, the amount of food is calculated based on their size and should be approximately 10% of body weight.

In the terrarium, be sure to arrange a shelter for newborn crocodiles. It is important to constantly monitor their condition, as young individuals are more sensitive to environmental conditions than adults.

Despite the fact that crocodiles take care of their offspring, it is better to plant the growing young and keep them in a separate terrarium. This will help to control the development of animals, identify deviations from the norm, symptoms of possible diseases and, accordingly, take timely measures for their treatment. Crocodiles born into the world reach a length of about 20 cm. They grow very quickly in the first months of life and by the age of two or three years they can reach a size of 1–1.5 m.

Watching crocodiles, scientists have established an interesting fact. It turns out that the sex of future crocodiles is determined by the temperature at which incubation occurs. At a temperature of 31.5 °C and below, only females hatch from the eggs, at 32–33 °C, females and males appear approximately equally, and at an incubation temperature above 33.5 °C, only males hatch.

Crocodiles are egg-laying reptiles. They bring offspring on average once a year, laying several dozen eggs in a calcareous shell.

Breeding crocodiles in captivity is a fairly rare event. It becomes possible only under the right conditions of detention and proper feeding.

During the period of sexual activity, it is recommended to create calm conditions for reptiles, to choose the optimal temperature and light level in the terrarium. An important factor is ultraviolet radiation, which in nature crocodiles receive naturally.

It is necessary for reptiles for the normal assimilation of minerals and is especially important during the period of reproduction and growth of young animals. Therefore, when keeping crocodiles in a terrarium, it is necessary to install special ultraviolet lamps.

Since crocodiles are the largest of the reptiles kept in captivity, you should provide them with the appropriate area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe terrarium during the mating season so that they feel as comfortable as possible.

When breeding crocodiles at home, it is necessary to pay great attention to their diet: along with the usual feed during mating and pregnancy, give reptiles vitamin supplements and foods with a high content of calcium and phosphorus. With a lack of these substances, the offspring may have deviations in the development of the bones of the skeleton and teeth.

After laying eggs, the female should also be given food containing the necessary trace elements in order to replenish their supply in the body, used up in the process of bearing offspring.

In nature, crocodiles reach sexual maturity at five to seven years of age. Mating in many species of crocodiles usually occurs in November-December, they lay their eggs in the spring. Crocodile caimans can mate and lay eggs throughout the year.

Crocodiles usually form a pair only for the duration of breeding. However, there are cases when these reptiles maintained marital relations throughout their lives.

All types of crocodiles are characterized by mating games. Before entering into intimate relationships, adult males must defend the right to start a family in a certain territory.

The sizes of individual plots in representatives of different families are slightly different. So, for every male Mississippi alligator, there is an area of ​​​​several square kilometers.

The invasion of a stranger, especially during the mating season, ends with a decisive rebuff. Violent fights often have sad consequences: broken jaws of opponents, wounds on the body, etc.

The possessions of the Nile crocodile are limited to a 100-meter coastline and territorial waters along it. These animals are less bloodthirsty and during the mating season are limited to demonstrating their strength. Males take on warlike postures and make sharp sounds resembling a growl. At the same time, rivals seek to intimidate each other by blowing their tails on the surface of the water. The weaker male usually flees and the victor begins the courtship ritual.

Having overtaken the female, the crocodile begins to describe circles around her, trying to subdue her.

Before laying eggs, the female crocodile builds a nest. Nile crocodile and gharial females usually bury their eggs in coastal sand. The Mississippi alligator and combed crocodile build mounds of grass about 1.5 m high and up to 1 m wide, lay their eggs in depressions at the top of the nesting chamber, and cover them with grass from above to maintain a certain degree of humidity.

In a terrarium, the masonry site may be a pile of leaves mixed with sand, or a hole with a nesting chamber filled with the same mixture.

Crocodile eggs are similar in shape and size to duck eggs. Their number in the clutch varies depending on the type of crocodile: the smooth-fronted caiman has up to 10 pieces, the blunt-nosed crocodile and the crocodile caiman have 15–30 pieces, and the Mississippian alligator has 50–60 pieces. By the beginning of laying, there are already embryos in the eggs, since their development begins in the mother's womb.