Amazing pictures from the womb

And for womb, I mean that of animals. A new special (airing on the National Geographic Channel in the US next month and in the UK next year) looks at fetuses of different animals, showing us their development from conception to delivery.

The pictures look amazing. Can't wait to see the show. Here's the link to the article, and here are some of the pictures:

a baby elephant,

a baby dog,

a baby dolphin.

Interesting tibbits:

At almost a year, the trunk is longer than the legs, and by 14 months, the characteristic elephant ears are visible. They will eventually grow to almost two feet across to help regulate the body temperature of the fullymature-elephant. At birth, he will weigh nearly 260lb and be able to take his first steps in minutes.

A golden retriever foetus is shown exhibiting some of the same behaviour as family pets, panting with its tongue out, while still in the womb.

Programme makers also reveal the moment at eight weeks when a baby dolphin learns to swim while in the womb. During the next few weeks, it develops flippers, a tail and a blowhole before being born after a year, and must be able to quickly swim to the surface to take its first breath of air.

And this could lead to its own scientific research:

Experts also found that at 24 days, the dolphin embryo develops tiny leg-like buds, which then disappear over the next two weeks.

After 11 weeks, the dolphin embryo's fins display bone structures resembling human hands, which experts believe may show that dolphin ancestors were land dwellers.