ovipaarid

Ovipaarid refers to animals that reproduce by laying eggs. This reproductive strategy is widespread across the animal kingdom, encompassing a vast diversity of species. In oviparous animals, fertilization can be internal or external, but the developing embryo is enclosed within an eggshell or a similar protective membrane and is nourished by the yolk.

The egg is then laid outside the mother's body, where development continues until hatching. Examples of oviparous animals include most birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. Even some mammals, such as the platypus and echidna (monotremes), are oviparous. The structure of the egg varies greatly depending on the species, from the hard, calcified shells of bird eggs to the leathery shells of many reptiles or the jelly-like masses of fish eggs. The environment in which the eggs are laid also differs, with some species depositing them in nests, burrows, water, or soil. This mode of reproduction allows for dispersal and can offer protection to the developing young in various ecological niches.