Reproduction

REPRODUCTION OF LIZARDS
Most lizards have scent glands at the base of the tail, and males often have glands in front of the anus or on the thigh that become filled with a hard, waxy, yellow substance. The glands are larger in males, and appear to play a role in courtship. Males have two copulatory organs called hemipenes, one on each side of the base of the tail. These are generally short and broad, with pleats or folds, but may also be forked. Either one of the two hemipenes may be used for internal fertilization. Female lizards have sac-like ovaries and large-yolked hard-shelled eggs for the protection of the embryo. The majority of lizards lay eggs, but in some lizards the eggs hatch inside the body and the lizard gives birth to live young. A minority of lizards give birth to live young following varying degrees of placental formation in a similar way to mammals. Parental care is unknown in lizards, but in some forms the female broods, or cares for the eggs. Sexual maturity may be reached in the first breeding season after birth in small species, or not for several years in larger species. Generally the small forms live short lives of 1 to 5 years, whereas larger forms may live for 10 to 20 years or even longer.

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