In the wild, the female shingleback lizard faces a challenging yet miraculous moment as she gives birth to live babies weighing nearly a third of her own body weight. This incredible phenomenon, captured in a video by BBC Earth, showcases the unique reproductive process of this reptile species.
After months of courtship, the female shingleback lizard goes through one of nature’s toughest labors, defying the typical reptilian method of laying eggs. Instead, she delivers live offspring, providing a glimpse into the fascinating world of reptile reproduction.
The video is part of the series “Life In Cold Blood” narrated by the legendary David Attenborough, who explores the extraordinary behaviors of reptiles and amphibians. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, viewers are able to witness rarely seen interactions and behaviors of these cold-blooded creatures, dispelling the misconception that they are slow, solitary, and primitive.
By showcasing the dramatic, social, sophisticated, and passionate nature of reptiles, Attenborough’s series aims to change the audience’s perceptions of these animals forever. The footage of the shingleback lizard giving birth to live babies is just one example of the stunning and intimate moments captured in “Life In Cold Blood,” providing viewers with a new appreciation for these fascinating creatures.
BBC Earth, known for its captivating natural history content, continues to bring audiences stories of beauty and natural wonder. Through 50 years of entertaining and thought-provoking documentaries, BBC Earth invites viewers to explore the incredible diversity of life on our planet.
As we delve into the world of reptiles and amphibians, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring moments that nature has to offer. The shingleback lizard’s extraordinary birthing process serves as a testament to the wonders of the wild and the beauty of the animal kingdom.
Watch the video by BBC Earth
Video “Shingleback Lizard Gives Birth To Live Babies In The Wild | BBC Earth” was uploaded on 04/03/2025 to Youtube Channel BBC Earth
Only David Attenborough can make a scene like this seem magical. I surely hope AI can learn his voice and narration style and apply it to future nature videos long after he is gone
lil' slinkers
Goodness gracious! They're coming out at 1/5 scale!
The size of those babies is amazing!
alien
Will keep complaining about the music, even though I like the choice😂😢
Oh!these are not egg laying 😮
That is
Remarkable
🦎🖤🦎
Such a touching glimpse into their bond—and the mother’s strength is just unbelievable. Carrying a third of her bodyweight really shows how tough she is! 🌿
It’s not often you see this amazing sight in the wild! You won’t believe your eyes when you see a Shingleback lizard giving birth in the wild. Don’t miss this magical moment – BBC Earth has brought you an amazing sight you never thought possible!
Terlihat sangat lucu karna tubuh nya
1:50 the babies coming out of the mom’s butt!!
Fun Fact: the oldest known case of live birth comes from a 380 MYO Devonian fossil of a placoderm fish and its embryo. This was five million years before the time of Tiktaalik (one of the earliest vertebrates to crawl out of water).
mom are amazing
Nature is beautiful and can be brutal…
They look like Mexican beaded lizard…
Why don't you show the mating process 🤔🤔🤨
Is there a longer video/story to this clip? Do the babies wonder off? Or do they stick around a bit?
"Female birthing is painful"
Shingleback birthding:
( ๐_๐)
Amazing
So is that a lizard (reptile) or a mammal (that gives live birth); nothing can be both, right?
I didn’t know that the speech is a lizard can give live birth
That’s so cool
Yea Hugh baby, Women have it easy compared to that
Imagine carrying a three year old child! Do you know other reptiles give birth this way? 🦎