18. Why are offspring of oviparous animals at a greater risk as compared to offspring of viviparous animals?
Oviparous organisms are those organisms which lay fertilised or unfertilised eggs whereas viviparous organisms are the ones that give birth to young ones. The offsprings of oviparous animals are considered to be at a greater risk as compared to offsprings of viviparous animals because of the following reasons:
1. In oviparous animals, the development of offsprings occurs outside the body of the organism and they do not get proper protection and nourishment as in viviparous organisms.
2. The offsprings of oviparous organisms develop inside eggs made of calcareous shells. These eggs are prone to attack by predators
Hence, offsprings of oviparous animals are at a greater risk as compared to offsprings of viviparous animals