In most animal species, females carry and nurture the offspring. However, male seahorses (genus Hippocampus) are a rare exception. They possess a brood pouch, where females deposit eggs. Once inside, males fertilize and incubate the eggs, providing oxygen and nutrients. After a gestation period, males "give birth" by expelling fully formed baby seahorses into the water.
This unique reproductive role makes them one of the only species on Earth where males experience pregnancy.
Similar behavior is also observed in pipefish and sea dragons, relatives of the seahorse in the Syngnathidae family.
In most animal species, females carry and nurture the offspring. However, male seahorses (genus Hippocampus) are a rare exception. They possess a brood pouch, where females deposit eggs. Once inside, males fertilize and incubate the eggs, providing oxygen and nutrients. After a gestation period, males "give birth" by expelling fully formed baby seahorses into the water.
This unique reproductive role makes them one of the only species on Earth where males experience pregnancy.
Similar behavior is also observed in pipefish and sea dragons, relatives of the seahorse in the Syngnathidae family.