How do you define pregnant? I figure for most non-biologists, it's which one carries the fetus. So, with that definition the male is pregnant, even though it provided the sperm not the egg.
I do believe in this case that the eggs are fertilized outside the male (though I would have to check) but my point was that the sex that carries the biggest biological penalty in reproduction is the picky one--not that its a male or female behavior thing. I didn't get into the whole discussion, because its been a while since I researched the issue and figured most people wouldn't care, but I do think its a fascinating animal fact.
The female produces the eggs, and transfers them to the males pouch. He releases sperm into the pouch and the fetuses are formed inside his pouch. The young are birthed as tiny miniture seahorses, fully formed and ready to begin snicking up food. In every way, the pouch acts as a uterus, so the male seahorse is indeed pregnant.
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I do believe in this case that the eggs are fertilized outside the male (though I would have to check) but my point was that the sex that carries the biggest biological penalty in reproduction is the picky one--not that its a male or female behavior thing. I didn't get into the whole discussion, because its been a while since I researched the issue and figured most people wouldn't care, but I do think its a fascinating animal fact.
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In every way, the pouch acts as a uterus, so the male seahorse is indeed pregnant.
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