egglayer

Creature producing ova

An egglayer is an animal that reproduces by laying eggs rather than giving birth to live young.

Birds, reptiles, most fish, and insects are egglayers.

The term is straightforward and descriptive, sometimes used to distinguish egg-laying mammals like the platypus from typical mammals: The platypus is one of only five egglayers among mammals.

reproduction

oviposition

Depositing eggs externally

  • clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
  • broodHatchlings as a group
  • spawningReleasing eggs to reproduce

fertilization · breeding · hatchling · offspring · progeny · incubation · brooding · hatchability · fecundity · prolificacy

types

hen

Female fowl

  • chickenDomestic fowl for eating
  • duckWaterbird that quacks
  • gooseLarge honking waterfowl

turtle · snake · lizard · platypus · echidna · frog · fish · insect · crocodile · ostrich

nesting

nest

Animal-built shelter for young

  • roostBird's sleeping spot
  • nestboxArtificial cavity for wildlife
  • coopPoultry enclosure

burrow · cavity · clutch · incubation · brooding · maternal · nurture · down · feathers · straw

anatomy

ovary

Female reproductive gland

  • oviductEgg-conveying canal
  • cloacaMultipurpose posterior opening
  • yolkEgg's nutrient core

albumen · eggshell · chorion · amniotic · oogenesis · ovum · gametes · membrane · calcium

Opposites
reproductive strategy

egglayermammal

Warm-blooded, milk-producing animal

marsupial · viviparous

Family

egg, layer, eggs, egged, egging, eggy, lay, lays, laying

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G