Here at Pulptastic, we love animals, so when we came across National Geographic’s “In The Womb: Extreme Animals” series, we just had to share it with you.
Peter Chinn, the series producer, used 3D ultrasound scans, computer graphics, and nano cameras to create these breathtaking images of unborn animals. The pictures offer a rare glimpse into a world we wouldn’t otherwise see.
#1. An elephant calf.
This massive baby elephant is only about a third of the way through its 22-month gestation period. When it’s born, it will weigh in at around 200 pounds and be able to stand up and walk on its own within minutes.
#2. A shark.
This little shark is only about 10 inches long, but it’s already fully formed and has all its teeth. It will spend the next few months growing larger in its egg case before it hatches and is ready to start hunting on its own.
#3. A cow.
This cow fetus will enter the world at a whopping 100 pounds. It will spend its first few weeks of life nursing and bonding with its mother before it’s ready to start grazing on grass.
#4. A penguin.
This penguin chick is still enclosed in its egg, but it’s already getting ready to hatch. It will spend the next few weeks growing stronger and preparing for life outside the egg.
#5. A dog.
This adorable pup is about halfway through its gestation period. You can already see its coat of fur starting to come in, and its eyes will start to open within the next few weeks.
#6. A foal.
This foal is just a few weeks old, but it’s already starting to show its personality. It will continue to grow and develop inside its mother for another 11 months before it’s born.
#7. A dolphin.
This dolphin calf is still mostly enclosed in its mother’s womb, but it’s already developed a coat of blubber to keep it warm in the water. It will be born tail first so that it doesn’t drown before it can take its first breath.
#8. A bat.
This little bat is only about half way through its gestation period, but it’s already starting to grow its wings. In a few more weeks, it will be able to fly on its own.
#9. A kitten.
This kitten is only about seven weeks old, but it’s already starting to look like a miniature version of its adult self. It will spend the next few weeks growing and developing before it’s ready to leave its mother’s side.
#10. A snake.
This tiny snake is still coiled up inside its egg, but it won’t be for long. In just a few short weeks, it will hatch and be on its own in the wild.
#11. A lion cub.
The lion cub will spend the first few weeks of its life blind and helpless, but it will grow quickly, developing into a powerful predator.
#12. A cheetah.
This little cheetah cub is just starting to grow its spots. It will be about six weeks old by the time it’s born and will stay with its mother for up to two years before striking out on its own.
#14. Polar bear
Polar bears are born tiny and helpless, but they grow quickly. By the time they’re eight weeks old, they’re already eating solid food and learning to hunt alongside their mother.
#15. A chihuahua puppy.
This tiny Chihuahua is only about halfway through its 64-day gestation period. When it’s born, it will be fully furred and already have its adult teeth.