Reproduction in Animals

Key Stage 2

Meaning

Reproduction in animals is when one or two animals produce offspring.

About Reproduction in Animals

Most animals need two adults to produce offspring. This is called 'sexual' reproduction.

Some animals can reproduce on their own. This is called 'a-sexual' reproduction.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is when two adults are needed to create one or more offspring.

In sexual reproduction of animals two adult animals will mate.

In sexual reproduction the offspring have some of the features of their parents but are not an exact copy of either parent.

When amphibians mate the female lays eggs and the male gives out sperm to fertilise the eggs.	When birds mate the male puts sperm inside the female and then the female lays eggs afterwards.	When fish mate the female lays eggs and the male gives out sperm to fertilise the eggs.
When some insects mate the male puts sperm inside the female and then the female lays eggs afterwards.	When mammals mate the male puts sperm inside the female and then the female becomes pregnant. She then gives birth to the offspring.	When reptiles mate the male puts sperm inside the female and then the female lays eggs afterwards.

A-sexual Reproduction

A-sexual reproduction is when one adult creates one or more offspring without needing another adult.

In a-sexual reproduction the offspring are exactly the same as the parents.