Do Male Seahorses Give Birth?

In the world of seahorses it is the males who carry their developing young. After an elaborate courtship dance the female uses her ovipositor to deposit eggs into a special brood pouch located at the base of the male’s tail. This pouch is where the eggs are fertilized.

The fertilized eggs remain in the brood pouch for a period of 10 days to six weeks (depending on the species). During this time the male regulates the chemistry of the fluid inside the pouch, gradually transforming it from his internal body fluids to salt water as the pregnancy progresses. When the eggs hatch, the male seahorse’s body convulses to expel his young, which are miniature adults and require no further care from their parents.