It is estimated that in the world, there are about two million animal species. Every day in our cities, we can see some of these species, such as dogs and cats, that we know by heart. However, there are lesser-known animals that keep surprising us thanks to their differences.
It is the case with ovoviviparous animals whose way of reproducing is bizarre, and many of their animals have curious and peculiar characteristics.
If you are passionate about animals and want to discover some oddities about them, here on PlaneteAnimal, we have drawn up a Top 5 of ovoviviparous animals containing all the curiosities inherent in these species.
Contents
Oviparous definition:
Oviparous animals, such as birds and many reptiles, reproduce by laying eggs which the females deposit and hide in the environment (this is a process known as “spawning”). After incubation, the eggs hatch and emerge the newborns that will start a new life in the outside world.
Viviparous definition:
Viviparous animals represent most mammals, such as dogs or even humans. Embryos develop inside the mother’s womb inside the uterus. Newborns are born after childbirth.
Ovoviviparous definition:
Conversely, ovoviviparous animals develop inside eggs that are inside the mother’s body, but these eggs hatch inside the mother’s body, which must eventually give birth to a mother’s body. The eggs have hatched. In summary, ovoviviparous animals develop in eggs housed in the mother’s body. Once they come out of the egg, the mother gives birth. It is a kind of mixture of the techniques of the oviparous and those of the viviparous.
We’re sure you’ve heard the following question before: Who came first, the egg or the chicken? Well, if the hen were an ovoviviparous animal, the answer would be easy. Both at the same time, by reading our article Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Curiosities. You will discover some examples of the most curious ovoviviparous animals.
The seahorse
The miniature sea horse (Hippocampus), also known as the hippocampus, is an example of the most curious ovoviviparous animal. That is why it is part of our Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Curiosities—no more suspense. Let us explain why! Well, the hippocampus eggs are incubated by the father!
At the time of fertilization, the female hippocampus transfers the eggs to the male, who houses them in a small pouch. After a period of development, the eggs hatch and the newborns come out to see the outside world.
But this is not the only curiosity of the sea horse! Many people think that seahorses are crustaceans like scampi or shrimp. Nay! Seahorses are fish! Besides, sea horses have an incredible ability to mimicry and can change colour to blend in with their surroundings.
Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – The hippocampus
Platypus
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) lives mainly in Australia and these adjacent areas and trust us. It has its place in our Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Curiosities. Read on as we’re about to show you that this is one of the strangest animals out there.
Although it is a mammal, it has a bill and webbed feet like ducks. They are, in fact, perfectly equipped for aquatic life. For many years, a legend has been circulating, a myth that the first Westerners who saw a platypus thought it was a bad joke and that someone had tried to make fun of them by sticking a beak to a beaver or such animal.
Besides, the platypus has a sort of poisonous spur at its ankles, making it one of the few toxic mammals on earth.
Although cited in many treatizes as an ovoviviparous animal, the platypus lays eggs that hatch after a short incubation period. Although this period is relatively short (less than two weeks), the mother incubates and incubates these eggs in a nest which she has specially prepared for this purpose. The fantastic thing about platypus is that once babies break the eggshell, they suck on the mother’s milk.
Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – the platypus
The asp viper
The asp viper (Vipera aspis), also known as the asp, is much the same as the billhooks, an example of an ovoviviparous animal. By reading, you will understand why it is part of our Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Curiosities!
The asp viper is found primarily in Mediterranean Europe and parts of Spain, and although it is not aggressive towards humans nor straightforward to find, it is highly poisonous.
Listening to her name, it is tough not to think of the endless story of Cleopatra, who killed herself by the bite of an asp viper that had been brought to her hidden in a basket of figs.
But Cleopatra died in Egypt, a country where it is not easy to find this reptile. It is more likely that it was an Egyptian cobra, also known as Cleopatra’s asp, whose scientific name is Naja haje.
You should know that most historians do not corroborate this story of suicide by the bite of an ophidian. These historians explain that it is much more likely that Cleopatra committed suicide by ingesting poison. Even if we have to admit, the story of the snake bite has a certain je ne sais quoi that elevates Cleopatra’s death to a myth’s status.
Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – the asp viper
Fragile Overt
The fragile Orvet (Anguis fragilis) is, in many ways, a surprising animal. You will discover the why and how by continuing your reading of our Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Curiosities!
In addition to being an ovoviviparous animal (which interests us for this article’s treatment), it is a legless lizard. It looks like a snake, and, unlike the more significant part of reptiles, it does not constantly seek the sun because it prefers humid and dark places.
Unlike the platypus and viper, the fragile worm is not a poisonous snake. Although there is a belief in some rural areas that says otherwise, it is entirely harmless, and worms are a large part of his diet.
Many people also claim that the fragile worm is blind, but this is not true.
Top 5 ovoviviparous animals – Orvet fragile
The great white shark
In our Top 5 Ovoviviparous Animals – Curiosities, we couldn’t ignore the most famous shark. Indeed there are many ovoviviparous sharks like the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), recognized and feared worldwide since the more than famous Steven Spielberg feature “Teeth of the Sea”.
The original title of the film known in all English speaking countries is “Jaws”, which in French means “Jaw”.
Although the great white shark is a predator that can quickly devour a person, it generally prefers to feed on other animals, such as seals. Human deaths caused by the great white shark are less compared to those caused by animals, which may appear more harmless such as hippos.
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