Incredible Photos Of Animal Life In The Womb
We all know what animals look like on land thanks to National Geographic and popular twitter spottings. What your internet and cable connections won't always show you is the magic that happens behind the scenes and in the womb.
Nature is beautiful inside and out and these incredible photos of developing animal fetuses in utero only further prove that. Check out these fascinating images of the creatures you know and love as you've never seen them before. Don't worry about the scary factor, even the shark doesn't have enough teeth to be menacing yet.
The Spiral Tail On This Snake Embryo Is Amazing
We all probably have wondered at some point how snakes curl up inside their eggs. We know that most mammals adopt the fetal position in the womb, but what do snakes do since they don't have hands or legs? Prepare to have your world shook with this answer.
They curl right up like a cinnamon bun. Isn't that kind of adorable? It makes sense too - the spiral probably doesn't take up much room anyways. This cinnamon bun probably wouldn't taste very good so we don't recommend eating it.
72-Hour-Old Chicken Embryo Amazingly Already Has Veins
It's incredible how quickly some creatures start developing. This chicken embryo is one of those incredible cases. After only 72-hours since conception, this embryo already has veins and arteries developing. Now that's a chick that doesn't mess around.
Scientists injected non-toxic ink into this bird's vascular system to see all the incredible pathways that were growing. This chick doesn't have a heartbeat or blood in its system yet but it's definitely ready for when it does. The early bird gets the vascular system!
This Giraffe Embryo Has Already Started Growing Its Signature Neck
This super tiny and young giraffe embryo is already starting to look like the animal we all make a bee line for at the zoo. Seriously, the giraffe exhibit always has a super long line because we're all crowding around it.
You can already see the spine forming that's going to produce that recognizable long neck. It's a wonder how giraffes can go from being so curled up inside of their mothers to being functional animals at birth. If we had necks this long that got folded like that we'd all probably need months of chiropractic work.
Pond Snail Embryo Is Far From A Creepy Crawly
Think of a snail. Now think of a hippo. Now imagine if those two things had a featureless microscopic almost incandescent baby. Kind of cute right? That's exactly what this pond snail looks like if you add a little touch of weird.
Apparently pond snails go through a "hippo stage" of development before they're fully-fledged snails. Honestly, it'd be great if this little one stayed this way forever instead of becoming a real snail. If only this wasn't just a passing phase...
This Dolphin Almost Has Its Eyes Open
Dolphins quite literally hit the ocean swimming. From the moment they're born they're expected to keep up with mom on her ocean travels. So seeing a fetus dolphin with this event on its horizon is awe-inspiring.
One day this smiley dolphin will open its eyes and jump fins first into the ocean. When that day comes maybe we'll see it around as it jumps in front of boats and plays with divers. That smile already hints that this dolphin will be one fun fish.
This Baby Penguin Truly Does Have Happy Feet
Even the tap-dancing penguins in Happy Feet had to start somewhere. Long before these little guys slide around on the ice and right into our hearts, they were wee little birdies curled up in their eggs.
There are tap shoes aren't featured in this photo, unfortunately, but what is there are some incredible little feathers poking out of this penguin's little body. It's crazy to think that soon this little penguin will be darting around all over Antarctica with these few feathers. Hopefully, this penguin buys a jacket for until its feathers grow in.
This Is The Smallest Elephant You'll Ever See
Here's a thought experiment: will elephants be just as afraid of mice if they're the size of a mouse? Would a fetus elephant get nervous around a fetus mouse? These are the questions about animal behavior that keep us up at night.
This elephant is definitely the smallest one that you'll ever see. How crazy is it to imagine that this sweet baby will one day become the world's largest mammal? It is easy to tell from this photo the adorable squishy ears that inspired the movie Dumbo.
Baby Bird Looks So Tiny And Fragile
We often forget that little birds were babies at some point just like us. They're already so small that it's hard to imagine them being any tinier. But it's possible! As this little guy can attest.
This bird in gestation looks way too fragile to fly the nest yet. It’s incredible that one day, he’ll have feathers and be able to flap his wings and fly with the rest of his species. Hopefully, that little beak grows in nicely too so he can establish himself on the social pecking order.
You Can't Ride This Horse Yet
They say that you can start riding a horse when it's 2 years old and this photo makes it pretty obvious why. This little horse is way too tiny to put any weight on. They probably don't even make saddles this small.
Where are its famous horse ears that swivel at every sound? They're pretty much disappeared at this point. What's there are 2 pairs of adorable hooves that you can almost hear clip-clopping in the distance. Just look at those adorable things.
This Cheetah Can't Run Yet, But When He Does...
It's hard to imagine a big cat predator as a small little fetus but here it is. This cheetah is just weeks old and already looks like a miniature version of the big cat she'll grow up to be. Luckily we can still outrun her at this point.
It's incredible that she already has spots. Cheetahs evolved to have spots to more easily camouflage amidst the savannah grasses while they hunt their prey. This little girl isn't going to be doing much hunting for a little while, but she'll definitely be hiding and watching her mom work.
Up To Bat Are 3 Bats
Most people know that bats use echolocation to navigate their surroundings, but did you know they're also mammals? They're more like flying rats than birds. Actually, that's a gross image - these fetus bats definitely do not look like their squirmy mammal cousins.
These 3 kind of look like the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil icons. Maybe scientists posed them like this or they found them like this. Either way, these little guys are so pure and far from evil they couldn't hurt a fly.
This Lemon Shark Is Too Sweet To Be Sour
Before they grow to 11 feet in length and dive into the subtropical waters, lemon sharks were once tiny little shark babies inside of their mother's stomachs. Although, don't stick around too long to wait for them to exit since they're not as friendly when they do.
It's funny that they're called lemon sharks because this little shark is way too small and helpless to be considered anything but sweet. Apparently, they're named that because they're yellow in color. If only there was better lighting in this womb so we could see. The mother should invest in a good lamp.
Kangaroo Isn't Ready To Hop Yet
We're all used to seeing kangaroos hopping around down under without a care in the world. There's always a little joey that pokes its head out of it's mom's pouch to have a good look around before going back to sleep. This is a little before that happens.
Kangaroos are born at a very immature stage and when they're born they crawl up into their mom's pouch to drink milk and grow more. This little one is doing just that inside of his mother's pouch. Keep resting little guy!
Baby Shark Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo
We all know and love the baby shark song from when we were kids and this picture makes it crystal clear why there's a whole tune dedicated to these little ones - they're so cute!
Look at that big eye and tiny fins. This baby shark probably doesn't even have fully developed teeth yet. Don't worry little guy, you'll get a new set of huge chompers soon and when that happens whichever photographer took this photo will be far, far away.
Baby Opossum Is Playing Opossum Even In The Womb
Did you know that opossums are the only marsupials in North America? This means that they're the closest thing we have to kangaroos over here since all marsupials are born prematurely and then spend the rest of their gestational development inside their mom's pouches. That means opossums have pouches. Mind = blown.
This baby opossum looks like a pink jelly bean right now, but soon it'll grow into a cute little opossum baby. It's currently getting some valuable opossum training in by playing opossum even in the womb. Well done little hard worker.
Polar Bear Siblings Sharing A Hug Before Birth
We all have our favorite sibling - you know the one. The one you can tell anything to and when your parents would get mad at something you two would share a knowing glance. These polar bears know exactly what it's like having a partner in crime - they've got each other even in utero.
Look at how they're holding onto each other so tightly. They're already so close now so they're going to be practically inseparable when they're finally out in the world.
Man's Best Friend Before They Meet
Even if you're a cat person you can probably still agree that dogs are one of the most adorable creatures to ever walk this earth. Seriously, pups are the pinnacle of cuteness and that's that on the subject.
This photo of a puppy in utero is further proof that dogs are always out to melt our hearts. There's no one stage in their lives where they're not sweet little fuzzy creatures who radiate literal sunshine. They're born cute and they grow old cute. We rest our case.
This Cat Is Already Practicing Its Meows
We naturally had to pair dogs and cats together on this list - they are our most beloved and most divisive choices for domestic household pets. They're also equally as sweet looking in the womb. How could you say "no more tuna" to this little face?
This baby kitten is already practicing its best meows in the womb. Its already opening up its vocal chords and sticking its tiny tongue out to really hit those high notes. When this little one is born it's going to be the ultimate meow-machine.
This Photo Will Cure Your Fear Of Snakes
Snakes are notorious for giving many people a serious case of the heebie jeebies. They slither around like they don't have bones, they can be poisonous, and they always look like they want to fight. Why do they always look so confrontational? Maybe this little snake will have the answer.
This little guy would never hurt a fly. It's barely even formed an eye yet so there's no way its even got snake fangs yet. Right now its a little squishy coil of joy. If more people looked at this photo maybe we'd all be less afraid of snakes.
Squirrel Hasn't Even Buried Its Nuts Yet
We're so used to seeing squirrels running around our everyday life that we probably forget that they used to be wee little babies just like the rest of the animal kingdom. They haven't always been able to hide nuts and fight with birds. Though, that would be incredible to see happening in the womb.
So today we learned that squirrels are actually cuter before they come out of the womb. Who would've known that's even possible? This photo would be even more adorable if this little one had its bushy tail grown in. Now that would be an adorable-ness overload.
The Big Bad Wolf Was Once A Small Pure Wolf Fetus
This little girl probably hasn't even heard the Duran Duran song yet. Once she does she'll realize her entire life has been accurately captured by that song. She'll relate to the "hungry like a wolf" part but be confused like all of us to the "smell like a sound" reference. Seriously, what does that even mean?
Wolves are scary in the forests and in the movies, but here this one is just undeniably precious. Look at those paws that look like they're already itching to run and roam. Just don't chase after us when you do, please.
Jaws Definitely Wasn't Inspired By This Photo
Here's another baby shark that looks nothing like his grown-up or scary movie counterparts. Reportedly, the mechanical shark from Spielberg's Jaws weighed almost 1.2 tonnes. That's heavy right? Now if this little guy is a great white, then he can grow up to be 2.5 tonnes. Dun, dun, dun, dun.
Even crazier is that though he's small now, he could grow to up to 16 feet as an adult. So even if this shark is cute you have to remember that he's going to grow up to be quite the behemoth. Sure you don't want to stay small?
This Is Strict Monkey Business
It's easy to see our ancestral roots to monkeys when you compare our fetuses. This little chimp in the womb looks so similar to the way baby humans look. This tiny chimp is a dead ringer for us - except for the tail. Yeah, we don't have tails sadly even though those would be so useful.
Look at those feet! They're already twice the size of the chimp's little hands. What perfect tiny tools to grab onto branches and trees with. If only we could grab things with our feet - multitasking would be so much easier.
This Calf Doesn't Even Have Spots Yet
We're so used to seeing big sweet cows grazing on farmer's fields that it's crazy seeing what a cow looks like as a tiny fetus. Before they grab their famous spots and let out a loud signature "moos," cows looked like this tiny white fetus here.
This sweet baby already has the signature grazing pose nailed. It heard that it was going to be eating grass all day so it thought it'd get a head start on the game. Good on you little hard worker, you're going to be the best grazer in the pasture.
Miniscule Mouse
It's hard to believe that at one point the smallest mammal we can think of was even smaller. The little mice that crawl under our sink and in our walls were at one point even tinier versions of themselves. Not that you want even the mini versions in your house.
Like the opossum, this little mouse started off looking like some sort of jellybean. Albeit a jelly bean with a tiny black spot, feet, and a tail. Maybe it's a limited edition?
Lizard Hasn't Even Heard Of Geico Yet
We've all got to start off somewhere - even the Geico lizard. Long before he was selling car insurance, this iconic little gecko was curled up in egg waiting to be hatched. If you told him then that he'd be working in insurance advertisement he probably wouldn't believe you.
This little lizard waiting to be hatched is super cool. Those long toes and feet look so stringy and flimsy it's hard to believe that one day it'll be scuttling across walls, floors, and rocky environments. Keep on resting little one!
This Is Probably A Pokémon
We've seen jellybean opossums and mice but we haven't seen straight up alien-looking fetuses before. Seriously, what is this thing? Why does it look like it's about to ask you for directions to Mars?
Turns out, this is actually a bat in an earlier stage of development than the ones previously shown on this list. We're just starting to see where its wings are forming. This little guy looks so much like a Pokémon though that maybe the show's writers were inspired by these little fetuses.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Even the king of the jungle had to start out as a little baby prince at some point. It's hard to believe but this tiny kitten fetus will one day turn into a lion. Get ready to hear its roar! You may have to wait a few weeks though.
Just look at those big paws! Those are almost ready to tromp across the savannah and do battle with the evil Scar. Come on Simba, hurry up and grow because your kingdom needs you!
Round Two Of Cute Dog Fetuses!
This little one probably won't be running around chasing squirrels any time soon, but they're probably dreaming of doing it while in the womb. Are dogs born with a knowledge of what squirrels are and an already present dislike of them? These are the philosophical questions that keep us up at night.
Look at that tiny little nose. This little guy doesn't know it yet, but he's going to have a grand ol' time smelling things with it. It's mostly going to be excrement, other dog's rears, and meat but it will be a fun time regardless.
This Shocked Shark
Even the biggest and baddest ocean predator looks helpless and cute in the womb - and that includes the shark. We've seen a shark with baby teeth before, but get ready to see a shark with a look in its eyes that says "help" instead of "what's for dinner?"
This shark looks very different from the other ones on this list mostly because the other sharks look like they have some sort of calm. This shark has never heard of the phrase "keep calm and carry on." This shark's high blood pressure medication is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Small Now But Big Later
You'll never be able to guess what animal this little fetus will turn out to be. It's tiny now but this little one will grow and grow until it stars in the hit movie Dumbo. Get ready for an elephant that's the size of the peanuts it eats.
Unlike the other elephant on this list, this one is in an earlier stage of development that makes it hard to tell which animal this is going to turn out to be. It doesn't even have its tell-tale long nose yet. What a cute little mystery.
This Little Piggy Went To Incubation
It's incredible how some of these creatures even at such early stages in development already have the features that make them distinct. They must be ready and roaring to be recognizable members of their species. What great energy to join a club with.
This tiny little pig went to the market and got itself a pair of hooves and a snout. You can almost hear its iconic snuffling and clip-clop of its hooves from here. Let's hope this little piggy already knows it needs to stay away from big bad wolves.
You Can Barely See This Turtle's Shell
Slow and steady wins the race is a good motto to adopt when doing work and when you're in your gestational period. This turtle knows this all too well, which is why it's taking its time growing in the womb. Don't let hares rush you along little one!
You can already see the faint outline of the turtle's shell as it's beginning to form. It's so cool how they develop these when they're already in the womb and use them throughout their lives. What a useful tool they'll have forever.
A Sweet Little Kitten
This kitty is a little earlier in development than the other one on this list. While the other one had fur, this little one only has just started to develop hair follicles around its whisker region. It looks more like a marble sculpture of a cat than a real one. It's the Venus d'Kitten.
Its eyes and ears are probably still developing at this stage since they look like they're sealed shut. Once it's born, it will be able to experience all the sights, smells, and sounds the world has to offer.
Here's An Elephant In Between The Two Previous Ones
You've seen the nearly fully developed elephant and you've seen the embryotic one, now get a load of the elephant in between! It's the circus act you never thought you'd ever see. It's pretty cool and different from the previous ones, so it's an act you don't want to miss.
Unlike the embryo, this baby has found its snout! Huzzah! It also looks like its ears are just starting to develop too. It's crazy to think that while its head is huge compared to the rest of it right now that it will soon have a massive body to match.
That Chick Has Her Eye On You
This embryonic chick does nothing to answer the classic question of which came first, the chicken or the egg? But it does help show us the processes of turning a chicken into a chicken.
Right before our eyes this little one is growing its iconic wings that look adorable and taste delicious. It's wild that fully grown chickens have notoriously small eyes while their fetus versions are basically all eyes. When you look at this photo do you get the eerie feeling you're being watched?
Science Kept This Little Sheep Alive
This little one is definitely the black sheep of the family. Not many sheep have been kept alive thanks to an artificial womb and it's awesome that this one was. Thanks, modern science!
This premature sheep fetus was successfully kept alive in an artificial womb. Scientists used a plastic bag to create an environment similar to its mother's womb and used tubes to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. It's incredible that nowadays we can help keep premature animals alive using simple but inventive technology.
This Next Kangaroo Is Ready To Hop Out Into The World
This kangaroo in its mother's pouch still developing is just as tiny as the one featured earlier on the list. They're both look like such adorable pink squishy aliens that it's hard to believe they're going to one day be hopping around down under.
All we can really make out from this photo are the kangaroo's eyes, ears, and mouth. But they don't really look like they belong on a kangaroo. If anything, these button ears look like they're about to grow into a mouse's not a kangaroo's pointy ones.
Shark Embryo Is The Most Confusing One So Far
Get ready to have your mind blown again by a photo of the tiniest shark you'll ever see. It really is trippy to see how some of these huge and ferocious animals start off so small and so harmless. This one doesn't even look like it can swim yet.
This one is slightly different from the previous ones because it looks like it has some kind of skin texture and pattern. Although the color looks more like a bass than a shark. Maybe it's just trying on different looks before committing.
Another Pup Getting Ready To Be Your Best Friend
Strap yourself in for another puppy fetus - this time we can see its adorable little paws stretched out like it's been caught mid-run. It probably won't be hitting the ground for a jog anytime soon though since it's still attached to the placenta. Those are hard to lug around when jogging.
This little one is actually a chihuahua puppy. Since it's such a small breed it's probably safe to say that this little pup won't grow any larger than what it already has.
You Can't Ride This 30 Day Old Horse Either
Like the other horse on this list, this embryotic horse is way too tiny to ride off into the sunset on. This won't be the case for long though, as horses are known to grow up to 6 feet tall. If it ever wanted to get out of racing it should consider a career in basketball.
At day 30 it's kind of hard to tell which end of the horse is which. Right now this kidney bean looks like it would enjoy eating a carrot from either side. It would have to be a very tiny carrot though.
One More Dog Embryo For The Road
There's a reason the classics are considered the classics. Gone With The Wind, Little Women, and Catcher In The Rye will all stand the test of time and be enjoyed by generations to come. Cute dog fetuses are classic themselves, so here's another one.
This embryo has just barely started to develop eyes that are beginning to open. It also looks like its assuming the recognizable position of smelling its paws. Dogs are constantly sniffing things - luckily this fetus hasn't started bringing back the things it finds yet.
This Emperor Penguin Is Just A Prince Right Now
This very young penguin emperor penguin doesn't know that it's about to be born into royalty. Or born into wearing a full tuxedo constantly. Luckily it's only just the feather pattern or else that would be a torturously formal life.
This tiny penguin is one week into its gestation and barely looks like a bird. All we can really see is the beginnings of a beach and some arms that are kind of shaped like wings. If we didn't know better we'd say this is an alien. E.P. phone home!
Badger Embryo Won't Badger Anyone
Even ferocious badgers had to start somewhere. We're so used to these guys walking around with their claws and teeth out saying "honey badger don't care." They may not care but we definitely do - especially about this adorable little badger,
It's really cool how this photographer gave the photo a purple hue. It makes the tiny little creature look even more other-worldly. Soon this little alien will have enough fur to cover its purple insides and that will be a sad day.
The Development Of A Central Nervous System In A Zebrafish
Nature can be both adorable and metal. This is the case here with this zebrafish that's growing a central nervous system right in front of our eyes.
All the white lines are newly formed nerves that are ready to fire up and do what this fish tells them to do. It's crazy how there are so many that light up the entire fish so we can see pretty much where its body ends and begins. This makes it clear nature is the original holiday lights decorator.
