The special physiological state of the female's body, which is called pregnancy, varies significantly in different animal species, both in duration and in the nature of the course. Some take only a few days to bear offspring, others more than a year.
Amphibians
Alpine (or black) salamander from the order of tailed amphibians, its size is only 9-16 centimeters. She lives in the Swiss Alps and the mountains of several other European countries - the record holder for the duration of pregnancy. The female bears offspring for an average of 31 months, this period depends on the climate and on the height above sea level at which she lives. If a female lives at an altitude of more than 1400 meters, her pregnancy can last more than 3 years and even “freeze” temporarily. Alpine salamanders are viviparous amphibians. Usually, in the body of a salamander of three dozen larvae, all two receive further development. Typically, a black salamander has two babies.
Marine mammals
Sperm whales are large marine mammals whose gestation lasts 18 months. They have one cub. For comparison, dolphins are 12 months pregnant.
Land mammals
Among mammals, the longest gestation period is in female African elephants, it lasts 22 months (for Indian elephants - 21 months). At the same time, by the 19th month of pregnancy, the fetus is already almost fully developed, then it only increases in size. A female elephant gives birth to one baby elephant, twins are extremely rare. The baby elephant weighs 100 kg or more. It is noteworthy that he can walk immediately.
As a rule, the larger and more developed the animal, the longer its gestation period, but there are exceptions.
Female giraffes carry babies for 14-15 months. A two-meter-tall giraffe "comes out" with its feet forward and falls from a two-meter height, as the female gives birth while standing. Sometimes twins are born.
About 13 months is waiting for the birth of a female bactrian camel, which also gives birth while standing. The cub is able to walk within two hours after birth.
In domestic donkeys, gestation lasts approximately 12-13 months, in horses it is usually 11 months. Females often carry male foals 2-7 days longer.
10-11 months after mating, cubs of Asian and African buffaloes are born, after 10 months, the offspring of roe deer.
In cows, the gestation period averages 9.5 months and can vary from 240 to 311 days. Moreover, the fetus develops most actively only in the last three months.
Pregnancy of polar bears and hippos lasts 9 months, elk and red deer - 8, reindeer and chimpanzees - 7, 5, brown bear - 7 months.
Among small animals, the badger is distinguished by a long gestation period - the female gives birth to cubs in 271-450 days, depending on whether mating took place in summer or winter.
Representatives of the feline family, as well as dogs, foxes and wolves, bear offspring for 2-4, 5 months. At the same time, 20-30 days are enough for many rodents.
