Why do reptiles and birds have hard shelled eggs?
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Birds evolved from a reptile. Practically all reptiles that lay eggs in fact do not have hard shells but rather soft leathery shells. The reason bird eggs have hard shells is that most birds incubate their eggs, and therefore the eggs must be able to withstand the weight of the adult bird on top of them. Some reptiles, such as pythons, also incubate their eggs, but they generally do not lie on top of the eggs but instead wrap around the eggs with their reptilian bodies.
Reptiles have egg-tooths that allow them to cut themselves out of the eggs, but birds have to use their beaks to peck free. Hard-shelled eggs would make it very difficult form most reptiles to get out of their eggs when they hatch.
Reptiles have egg-tooths that allow them to cut themselves out of the eggs, but birds have to use their beaks to peck free. Hard-shelled eggs would make it very difficult form most reptiles to get out of their eggs when they hatch.
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Birds evolved from a reptile. Practically all reptiles that lay eggs in fact do not have hard shells but rather soft leathery shells. The reason bird eggs have hard shells is that most birds incubate their eggs, and therefore the eggs must be able to withstand the weight of the adult bird on top of them. Some reptiles, such as pythons, also incubate their eggs, but they generally do not lie on top of the eggs but instead wrap around the eggs with their reptilian bodies.
Reptiles have egg-tooths that allow them to cut themselves out of the eggs, but birds have to use their beaks to peck free. Hard-shelled eggs would make it very difficult form most reptiles to get out of their eggs when they hatch.
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