Embryonic diapause
When it comes to making babies, some animals like to take their time. Embryonic diapause is when a mommy animal's fertilized egg waits to start growing into a baby.
Imagine laying an egg but it doesn't start to hatch right away, even though it was fertilized. That's kind of what happens in some animals' bodies. The mommy's body tells the fertilized egg to take a nap and wait until the time is right to start growing into a baby.
Why would an animal want to do this? Well, sometimes, the time just isn't right for a baby. Maybe the mommy animal doesn't have enough food or water to take care of a growing baby. Maybe their habitat isn't safe or secure, and it would be dangerous for a baby to be born.
Taking a nap or diapause gives mommy animals more control over when their babies are born. Diapause helps ensure that when the baby starts growing, they will be born at a time when conditions are better for survival.
Some animals, like kangaroos and polar bears, are well known for using diapause. In kangaroos, for example, a mommy can have a fertilized egg sitting in her uterus for up to a year before it starts to grow.
Overall, embryonic diapause is a strategy used by some animals to give their babies the best chance of survival. It's like hitting "pause" before hitting "play" to make sure you're all set to enjoy the show.
Imagine laying an egg but it doesn't start to hatch right away, even though it was fertilized. That's kind of what happens in some animals' bodies. The mommy's body tells the fertilized egg to take a nap and wait until the time is right to start growing into a baby.
Why would an animal want to do this? Well, sometimes, the time just isn't right for a baby. Maybe the mommy animal doesn't have enough food or water to take care of a growing baby. Maybe their habitat isn't safe or secure, and it would be dangerous for a baby to be born.
Taking a nap or diapause gives mommy animals more control over when their babies are born. Diapause helps ensure that when the baby starts growing, they will be born at a time when conditions are better for survival.
Some animals, like kangaroos and polar bears, are well known for using diapause. In kangaroos, for example, a mommy can have a fertilized egg sitting in her uterus for up to a year before it starts to grow.
Overall, embryonic diapause is a strategy used by some animals to give their babies the best chance of survival. It's like hitting "pause" before hitting "play" to make sure you're all set to enjoy the show.