Which reproductive trait do *L. flavimaculatum* and other members of the Family Xantusiidae share?
Answer
Viviparity, or live-bearing
A defining characteristic shared by all members of the Family Xantusiidae, including *Lepidophyma flavimaculatum*, is that they are viviparous. Viviparity means that the female carries the developing embryos internally and gives birth to live, fully developed young, bypassing the egg-laying stage (oviparity). Litter sizes are typically modest, generally ranging from five to eight babies, which are born approximately 3 cm in length. Although *L. flavimaculatum* exhibits the unusual addition of parthenogenesis in some locales, the fundamental shared characteristic within the family structure remains this commitment to live birth.
Related Questions
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