What does viviparous mean?
Viviparous describes an organism that produces live young rather than laying eggs. In zoology, the word applies to animals whose embryos develop within the parent's body and are ultimately born alive, including nearly all mammals and a smaller number of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other vertebrates. For example, several species of shark and lizard are viviparous even though many of their close relatives lay eggs. In botany, viviparous describes plants whose seeds begin germinating while still attached to the parent. The term comes from the Latin viviparus, literally “bringing forth alive,” and is usually encountered in technical or educational contexts. Viviparous is a precise counterpart to oviparous, which means egg-laying. It should not be confused with ovoviviparous, a reproductive pattern in which eggs are retained inside the parent and hatch there.
adjectiveProducing live young rather than laying eggs. In botany, the term can describe plants whose seeds begin to germinate while still attached to the parent plant.
- Of animals: producing live young, with development occurring inside the parent's body rather than in externally laid eggs.
- Of plants: producing seeds that germinate while still attached to the parent plant.
"Most mammals are viviparous, although some species of sharks and lizards also give birth to live young."
"Most mammals are viviparous, but some species of sharks and lizards also give birth to live young."
"A viviparous plant produces seeds that begin germinating before they detach from the parent."
A few sharks and lizards break the reptile rule: instead of laying eggs, they give birth to live young.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does viviparous come from?
Viviparous comes from Latin viviparus, a compound formed from vivus, meaning “alive,” and parere, meaning “to bring forth” or “to produce.” The literal sense is therefore “bringing forth alive” or “producing live offspring.” The word preserves this Latin formation and is related to words based on both elements, including viable and vivify from vivus and parturient from the same productive root as parere.
Related word forms
How viviparous is actually used
This is chiefly a scientific and zoological term. It is not normally used as a general synonym for pregnant, and its botanical sense is more specialized than the animal sense.
Easily confused with viviparous
Viviparous organisms produce live young, whereas oviparous organisms lay eggs that hatch outside the parent's body.
Ovoviviparous animals retain eggs internally until they hatch, while viviparous animals develop their young within the body and give birth to them alive.