Reptiles That Have Live Births

Most reptiles lay eggs when they reproduce -- a process called oviposition by herpetologists. However, some reptiles have evolved the ability to bear live young. Biologists call these reptiles viviparous. Biologists Carl P. Qualls and Robin M. Andrews of Virginia Tech note that this mode of reproduction is most common in species that live in cool environments since eggs oviposited outside of the female's body are much less likely to develop properly and survive. Boas, some vipers, skinks and a few other species of lizards are all viviparous and bear live young.

  1. Boas

    • The Boidae is a large family of snakes that includes boas and pythons. There is large diversity within the family and boas give birth to live young while pythons lay eggs. Boas are some of the largest snakes on the planet but not all species grow to be giants. The rubber boa (Charina bottae) is native to North America and can be found throughout the Western United States. Rubber boas only grow to be 3 feet long and females give birth to as many as nine live young each year.

    Vipers

    • Most vipers give birth to live young when they reproduce, however a few species still lay eggs. Viperidae is a large family of snakes that are found around the world. Vipers are venomous snakes and inject lethal hemotoxins into their prey using long, retractable fangs. Vipers vary greatly in size, color and shape. Rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins are the most common vipers in North America and they are all viviparous.

    Blue-Tongued Skink

    • The blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) is a large skink native to Australia and can also be found on the islands of Tasmania and New Guinea. As their common name suggests, the blue-tongued skink has a bright blue tongue that they use as a defense mechanism to confuse predators when threatened. Blue-tongues skinks grow up to 13 inches long and females can hatch 10 to 15 live young when reproducing.

    Jackson's Chameleon

    • The Jackson's chameleon (Chamaeleon jacksonii) is a large arboreal lizard native to the highlands of Tanzania and Kenya. Jackson's chameleons have three large conspicuous horns that protrude from the head of the lizard. Like other chameleons, Jackson's chameleons can change the color of their scales on demand and can move their eyes independently to track small insect prey in the trees. Female Jackson's chameleons can produce 36 to 40 live young when reproducing.