The [[majority]] of reptile species are ''oviparous'' (egg-laying), although certain [[species]] of squamates are capable of giving live birth. This is achieved by either ovoviviparity (egg retention) or viviparity ([[birth]] of offspring without the development of calcified eggs). Many of the viviparous species feed their fetuses through various forms of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placenta placenta] [[analogous]] to those of [[mammals]], with some providing initial care for their hatchlings. Extant reptiles range in size from a tiny gecko, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaragua_Sphaero Sphaerodactylus ariasae], that [[grows]] to only 1.6 cm (0.6 in) to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltwater_Crocodile saltwater crocodile], Crocodylus porosus, that may reach 6 m in length and weigh over 1,000 kg. The [[science]] dealing with ''reptiles'' is called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpetology herpetology].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptiles] | The [[majority]] of reptile species are ''oviparous'' (egg-laying), although certain [[species]] of squamates are capable of giving live birth. This is achieved by either ovoviviparity (egg retention) or viviparity ([[birth]] of offspring without the development of calcified eggs). Many of the viviparous species feed their fetuses through various forms of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placenta placenta] [[analogous]] to those of [[mammals]], with some providing initial care for their hatchlings. Extant reptiles range in size from a tiny gecko, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaragua_Sphaero Sphaerodactylus ariasae], that [[grows]] to only 1.6 cm (0.6 in) to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltwater_Crocodile saltwater crocodile], Crocodylus porosus, that may reach 6 m in length and weigh over 1,000 kg. The [[science]] dealing with ''reptiles'' is called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpetology herpetology].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptiles] |