While many animals lay eggs or give birth to live young in ways we’re familiar with, some species have evolved extraordinary methods to protect their offspring.
One such strategy is mouthbrooding, where parents carry and nurture their young in their mouths until they hatch. This rare but fascinating behaviour ensures the survival of their babies by keeping them safe from predators.
Here are five(5) incredible animals that practice this unique form of parental care. Prepare to be amazed!
1. Darwin’s frog
Darwin’s frog, found in Chile and Argentina, has one of the most unique reproductive strategies in the amphibian world.
After the female lays her eggs on the forest floor, the male takes over, guarding them closely. When the embryos start to move, the male swallows them, storing them in his vocal sac—a pouch usually used for making calls.
Inside this safe space, the tadpoles continue to develop, protected from predators. After a few weeks, fully formed tiny frogs pop out of the father’s mouth, ready to hop off and begin their lives on their own.
2. Mouthbrooding cichlids
Cichlids are a diverse group of fish, mainly found in Africa, famous for their unique parenting methods. In many mouthbrooding cichlid species, after the eggs are fertilized externally, one of the parents usually the female scoops them up into her mouth.
She carries the eggs in her buccal cavity, offering a safe space for them to develop until they hatch. Even after hatching, the young fish, called fry, often dart back into their parent’s mouth at the first sign of danger. This clever strategy helps ensure their survival in environments filled with predators.
3. Giant gourami
The giant gourami, found in Southeast Asia, is another fish that uses mouthbrooding to protect its young. In this species, the male takes charge by carrying the fertilized eggs in his mouth.
During the incubation period, which can last several days, the male avoids eating to ensure the safety of the developing embryos. Once the eggs hatch, he releases the tiny, free-swimming fry into the water, where they start their journey to independence.
4. Sea catfish
Sea catfish, which live in various marine environments, display a remarkable example of paternal care. After the female lays her eggs, the male fertilizes them and then gathers them into his mouth.
He carries the large, nutrient-rich eggs in his buccal cavity, keeping them safe as they develop. Even after the eggs hatch, the male continues to protect the young, releasing them only when they are strong enough to survive on their own.
5. Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are small, nocturnal fish typically found in warm, shallow waters of tropical and subtropical regions. In many species, the males take on the responsibility of mouthbrooding. After the female lays her eggs, the male fertilizes them and then gathers them into his mouth.
He carries the eggs until they hatch, avoiding food during this time to ensure the safety of the developing young. Once the fry are ready, the male releases them into the water, where they begin their independent lives.
