How Does a Male Seahorse Give Birth?

Seahorses, found in tropical climates, swim upright, eat 3,000 or more brine shrimp each day and, most interestingly, reserve the job of childbirth to the father, according to the National Geographic website. Dad seahorses play mom from conception to birth, but not in the typical manner. A brood pouch, rather than a uterus, carries the babies. Seahorses, like swans, turtle doves and bald eagles, mate for life. Due to depletion of their habitat, and because pollution and over harvesting are threatening the population, the numbers of the 35 species of this unique fish are dwindling.

  1. Brood Pouch

    • Male seahorses do not have female sexual organs, instead, they carry the young in a brood pouch or egg chamber on their front side.

    Egg Deposit

    • At the time of conception, the female seahorse deposits her eggs into the male seahorse's pouch.

    Fertilization

    • The male seahorse fertilizes the eggs in the pouch and carries them in the until they hatch, in about 2 to 3 weeks.

    Birth

    • To give birth, the male seahorse simply releases the baby seahorses into the water.

    Repeat Performance

    • Once the male seahorse gives birth, the next pregnancy is almost immediate, according to PBS.