Experts have warned Australians who come across reptile eggs in their gardens to leave them alone, as the hatchlings can “drown” inside the shell.
A photo of two tiny lizard eggs in a woman’s hand has prompted experts to issue a warning as the mating season comes to an end in Australia.
The woman, from Western Australia, asked Facebook users what animal the eggs belonged to, with many suggesting they were some kind of gecko.
Australian Reptile Park director Billy Collett agreed, warning that excessive handling of the eggs could be catastrophic for the embryos inside.
“These are definitely lizard eggs and are very common to see at this time of year,” Mr Collett said. YahooNews.
“You can’t roll reptile eggs because the movement can cause the developing juvenile to drown inside the egg, so it’s important not to touch any eggs you might find.”
Most reptiles in Australia mate from September to December and lay eggs. The shape and color of the eggs vary greatly between species.
The eggs tend to be soft and “leathery”, allowing them to collect moisture from the surrounding environment as they incubate.
A Western Australian woman shared a photo of two small eggs in her hand (pictured)
Geckos lay smaller clutches, usually one or two eggs, but larger lizards can lay more than 20 eggs at a time.
The reptile expert previously warned that the early onset of warm weather had pushed snakes away from brumation before summer began.
He suggested Australians take precautions to avoid unwanted encounters with potentially dangerous snakes.
This includes keeping grass freshly cut and in good condition and avoiding stacking firewood and winter firewood around properties.
About 140 different species of snakes reside in Australia; About 100 species are poisonous and 12 of them are probably fatal.