The animal that experiences male pregnancy is the seahorse.
Seahorses, along with their close relatives, the sea dragons, are the only known species in the animal kingdom where the male carries the developing embryos and gives birth. This unique reproductive strategy sets them apart from virtually all other animal species.
How Male Pregnancy Works in Seahorses
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Female Deposition: The female seahorse deposits her eggs into a pouch located on the male's abdomen.
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Fertilization: The male then fertilizes the eggs within the pouch.
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Gestation: The pouch provides a protected environment for the eggs to develop. During this gestation period, the male nourishes the developing embryos.
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Birth: After a period ranging from weeks to months, depending on the species, the male seahorse gives birth to live young.
Therefore, while the female seahorse produces the eggs, it's the male seahorse that undergoes pregnancy, carrying and nurturing the developing offspring until they are born. This remarkable adaptation is a key feature of seahorse biology.
