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Llamas have an unusual reproductive cycle for a large animal. Female llamas are induced ovulators. [24] Through mating, the female releases an egg and is often fertilized on the first attempt. Female llamas do not go into estrus ("heat"). [25] Like humans, llama males and females mature sexually at different rates.
They hold the eggs internally for several weeks, providing nutrients, and then lay them and cover them like birds. Like marsupial " joeys ", monotreme " puggles " are larval and fetus-like, [ 9 ] as like them they cannot expand their torso due to the presence of epipubic bones, forcing them to produce undeveloped young.
Induced ovulation occurs in some animal species that do not ovulate cyclically or spontaneously. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Ovulation can be induced by externally-derived stimuli during or before mating , such as sperm , pheromones , or mechanical stimulation during copulation .
The egg cell is generally asymmetric, having an animal pole (future ectoderm). It is covered with protective envelopes, with different layers. The first envelope – the one in contact with the membrane of the egg – is made of glycoproteins and is known as the vitelline membrane (zona pellucida in mammals).
The egg is not retained in the body for most of the period of development of the embryo within the egg, which is the main distinction between oviparity and ovoviviparity. [1] Oviparity occurs in all birds, most reptiles, some fishes, and most arthropods. Among mammals, monotremes (four species of echidna, and the platypus) are uniquely oviparous.
Llama crias are typically born with the whole herd gathering around (only the females are present, as the males are considered a threat) in an attempt to protect against potential predators. Llamas give birth standing, and the process is usually relatively quick and problem-free, over in less than 30 minutes.
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Egg incubation is the process by which an egg, of oviparous (egg-laying) animals, develops an embryo within the egg, after the egg's formation and ovipositional release. Egg incubation is done under favorable environmental conditions, possibly by brooding and hatching the egg.