Yes, and they look after them very carefully. Female crocodiles scoop out a pit in the ground then lay 30 or more eggs there, covering them up with earth or sand. The female will stay nearby, guarding the nest for about three months while the eggs become ready to hatch.
Crocodiles stayed within the egg-laying branch of the family along with alligators, caiman, and gharials who all lay hard-shelled eggs. Sexually mature females over the age of 10 years who have reached a certain trigger weight will lay a clutch of eggs into the soft, cool earth and build up a shallow mound on top of it.
Their eggs are very dependent on the temperature of the ground and so different crocodiles lay their eggs at different times and different places depending on this as a key factor. Unlike birds, crocodile eggs are born unsexed – the sex of the young isn’t predetermined by their chromosomes. It is the temperature that determines whether they grow up male or female. Mother crocs will sometimes build up or shallow out a nest if the temperature varies too much from ideal. It is a delicate business in the wild – but a very useful tool for captive-bred individuals.
How Many Eggs Does A Crocodile Lay?
The crocodiles go for the ‘more is best’ approach to young – laying up to 60+ eggs in one clutch. Some larger/older crocodiles can lay many more and younger/smaller females often many less. Regardless of the number, the nest-building process remains the same – with the same digging technique and locations. All the eggs are hard-shelled although they are translucent when first laid, only becoming solid white just before hatching.
Crocodile eggs are about the same size as a large chicken egg but are a different shape. Reptile eggs don’t have one end larger than the other and are certainly not pointed at the end. They are more capsule-like and symmetrical at each end. They are also considerably heavier at around 85g (3oz) – where a large chicken egg only weighs around 57g (2oz).
Where Do Crocodiles Lay Their Eggs?
If you were thinking of going out and finding yourself a haul of crocodile eggs for a feast – the American Alligator is listed as ‘threatened’ by the IUCN – so poaching their eggs without the right permit will be illegal, unethical, and also highly dangerous.
They tend to lay their eggs in March or April and the soft sedimentary or clay soils are easy for mum to dig. A large flat area of earth found in an otherwise leaf and twig-covered woodland area is almost certainly a crocodile nest – but take care – mum is always close by. Predation of crocodile eggs is quite common – with the raccoon being the most likely thief. Other predators might be bears, birds and even other reptiles – so mum is usually watching out for any disturbance.
She has to listen out for the young to start chirping just before they hatch – so if she can hear a newborn crocodile that is buried underground – she will certainly hear you!
Picture Credit : Google