What Are Viviparous Animals? Definition And Meaning
VIVIPAROUS ANIMALS – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about viviparous animals, the definition and examples.
Definition
Unlike the egg-laying oviparous animals, these are animals that reproduce by giving birth to the young.
Once the egg is fertilized within a viviparous creature, the uterus increases in size, which is proportional to the growth of the zygote.
Most viviparous creatures are quadruped, which means they need four legs to stand, walk and run. There are those that are bipedal or two-legged in their common mode of movement.
Most mothers of these creatures have a maternal instinct, which includes feeding and protecting the young until they are capable to defend for themselves.
- Mammals
- Nearly all mammals are viviparous, including humans, with the exception of monotremes such as platypus and echidna.
- Fish
- Most fishes are oviparous but there are those such as guppies and lemon sharks that are known to be viviparous.
- Reptiles
- The case of fisheas are the same for reptiles. Examples are boas, water snakes, and rattlesnakes (although this one is technically oviparous)
Unfortunately, there are no avian or birds that are known to be viviparous.
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