Oviparous and Viviparous Animals


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Oviparous and Viviparous Animals

Some animals give birth to young ones. Those animals which give birth to young ones (or baby animals) are called viviparous animals (vivi = alive; parous = bearing). In viviparous animals, the young one develops in the uterus inside the body of the mother (female parent). When the young one is fully developed, then the mother gives birth due to which the alive young one (or baby animal) comes out from the body of the mother. The viviparous animals do not lay eggs outside their body  (like the birds and reptiles do). In the viviparous animals, the mother (female parent) gives birth to a fully developed baby animal (called young one). For example, in humans beings, the mother gives birth to a baby, so humans are viviparous animals (see Figure 11). Some other examples of viviparous animals are : Cow, Dog, Cat, Lion, Tiger, Horse, Rabbit, Rat, Elephant and Camel. In fact, all the mammals are viviparous animals.

Some animals lay eggs which later on develop into young ones. Those animals which lay eggs from which young ones (baby animals) are hatched later on, are called oviparous animals (ovi = relating to eggs; parous = bearing). In oviparous animals, the mother (female parent) lays eggs outside its body. The young one of the animal develops inside the egg. When the development of the young one inside the egg is complete, the egg shell breaks open and an alive young one (baby animal) comes out of it. This is called hatching. For example, the hen lays eggs [see Figure 1 2(a)]. The  young one of hen (or chick) develops inside the egg. When the development of the chick inside the hen's egg is complete, the egg shell breaks open and an alive chick comes out of it [see Figure 12(b)]. Since a hen lays eggs from which its young ones (chicks) are hatched, therefore, the hen is an oviparous animal. Some other examples of oviparous animals are Sparrow, Crow, Butterfly, Housefly, Frog, Fish, Lizard, Snake, Ostrich, and Crocodile. In fact, all the insects, birds and reptiles are oviparous animals. They are the egg laying animals.

It is easy to collect the eggs of oviparous animals because they lay the eggs outside their bodies.

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Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Which of the following are correct :

(a) In oviparous animals, the mother (female parent) lays eggs outside its body.

(b) In viviparous animals, the mother (female parent) lays eggs outside its body.

(c) In oviparous animals, the mother (male parent) lays eggs outside its body.

Right Option : A
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Question : 2

Which of the following are a viviparous animals ?

Right Option : B
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Question : 3

Those animals which give birth to young ones (or baby animals) are called ______________________  animals

Right Option : B
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