Seahorses

Male seahorses are often considered the only species in which males give birth rather than females. Because the eggs are kept in a specific pouch on the male's stomach, this is the case. He gives birth to live young after they hatch. Male seahorses can become pregnant and give birth to thousands of babies at the same time! Female seahorses lay their eggs in the pouches of male seahorses, which are fertilized. The seahorse embryos are discharged from the male's pouch at an exceedingly fast rate after about three weeks of development.

After up to 45 days in the brood pouch, seahorse young hatch. The jelly bean-sized baby seahorses discover other young ones and float together in small groups, holding on to one another with their tails. Baby seahorses do not go back to the pouch-like kangaroos do. As soon as they are born, they need to obtain food and hide from predators.

Seahorse offspring will cling to objects after birth, however, they are particularly vulnerable to predators. In general, only a small fraction of seahorse babies (also known as "fry") survive. This varies by species, although it can be as low as 1% in some cases. Males and females of many seahorse species are monogamous, meaning they will mate for life. Seahorse species are also known for their elaborate courtship rituals that can last for hours or even days.