National Museum of Natural Science

After mating, grass lizards lay leathery eggs in soil with sufficient moisture. Dozens of days later, the grass lizard hatchlings use their egg tooth to break open the shell and climb out. Many small grass lizards lay only 1-2 eggs each time but can produce clutches every few weeks throughout the breeding season.

Reptile fact: Reptile eggs are divided into two types: calcified and leathery. Calcified eggs resemble those of birds; the shell is made up of calcium and is hard and brittle. Gecko eggs fall into this category. Leathery eggs have soft tough shells. After being laid, they absorb moisture from the environment and become slightly inflated. Many lizard, snake, turtle, alligator, and crocodile species lay this type of egg.

Eggs and hatching