In viviparous animals, the embryo develops inside the mother until it is ready to be born. She provides the embryo with the food it needs to grow.

The length of time the embryo takes to develop inside the mother is called gestation. The length of gestation varies according to the species.

All mammals are viviparous. Some reptiles, like vipers, and some sharks, like the great white shark, are also viviparous.

Viviparous animals