Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
oviparous
Adjective
/ˌoʊ.vɪˈpɛr.əs/
Definition
Oviparous refers to animals that lay eggs. The embryos develop outside the mother’s body, usually within eggs.
Examples
- Many species of fish are oviparous, laying their eggs in water.
- Birds are typically oviparous, producing eggs that develop into chicks.
- Some reptiles, like turtles, are also oviparous and lay eggs in sandy nests.
Meaning
The term describes a reproductive strategy where creatures reproduce by laying eggs, which then hatch into young.
Synonyms
- Egg-laying
- Egg-producing
- Oviparous animals