How 21 Animals Look Before Giving Birth (New Pics)

Pregnancy… A joyous time for all creatures. Yet some of them have to endure it for much longer than others. A black alpine salamander, for one, has to carry her babies for 2 to 3 years. That’s a long time, and at the end we’re sure she’s thinking, “Get it over with!”

We at Smalljoys feel these animals’ pain, for sure. And we can’t help it — we think it’s so funny to see them with balloon-shaped, big bellies. Join the fun!

1. An elk hopping around in the snow, carrying a baby inside

2. No, I didn’t eat too many worms yesterday! But I wish I did…

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That'll be TWO pregnant geckos then! #leopardgecko #gecko #lizard #reptile #pregnant #pregnantgecko

A post shared by Kay Greaves (@superspeshkay) on Jun 8, 2014 at 4:44am PDT

3. Tell me what you know about a pear-shaped body…

4. Godzilla’s coming to town.

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Godzilla is about to give birth on Key Colony Beach. Iguanas are moving to Florida! #kcb #iguanasofinstagram #visitflorida #fantasyfest2016

A post shared by Lorinda Fore (@lorindasart) on Nov 2, 2016 at 3:10am PDT

5. See that barbed wire? Don’t come near me, I’m pregnant!

6. This baby is definitely gonna be “down to earth.”

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#kenyanınhayvanları#animalsofkenya #hamilezebra #pregnantzebra #masaimara

A post shared by Faik Burhanoğlu (@bfaik) on Aug 17, 2018 at 9:25am PDT

7. Guys, I heard Swedish dads get maternity leave too!

8. Cute little piglets, they said… You wouldn’t call them little if you were me.

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#soproud .. Our first born is all grown up and soon to become a mummy too! Poor thing, I know exactly how she feels, heavy, massive and fed up. (Though she was pretty massive before getting preggers, her belly didn’t however quite drag on the floor a few months back). We could feel the little piglets kicking through her belly .. a few more weeks to go! Did you know, that a pigs normal gestation period is 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days #didyouknow #fact #pigfacts ????????#piglets #minipigs #minipigsofinstagram #pigfamily #pigsofinstagram #preggers #piggiesofinstagram #preggopig #babypig #pregnantbelly #pregnantpig #piglife #piggies #dogpig #babybelly #bumpie

A post shared by Lauren Olander (@youmeandattemakesthree) on Aug 25, 2018 at 7:56am PDT

9. It’s my 5th time. Nothing surprises me anymore…

10. She’s got a whole portion of “ratatouille” in her tummy.

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Our Jenny is due today! So excited for her! How many jellybeans do you think are in that big baby bump? Follow us on Facebook to find out! #rat #ratsaspets #ratsofinstagram #babyrat #pregnantrat

A post shared by Moonshadow Mischief Rattery (@moonshadowmischief) on Jul 18, 2017 at 4:30am PDT

11. One belly button coming right up!

12. Bambi? Is that you?

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More backyard whitetail deer from Texas. #getolympus #olympusomd #olympusomdem10markii #whitetail #deer #texas #texasdeer #fawns #pregnantdeer #saladotexas #whitetaildeer #whitetailfawn #doeadeer #does #doe #texaswildlife #nature_brilliance #nature #wildlife #deerofinstagram #texas_ig #backyarddeer

A post shared by Laura ?? (@lolahancock) on Jul 1, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

13. Showcasing her tummy like the precious thing it is.

14. What if those little ones already have needles?

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Big pregnant belly! Help i cant get off my back!?? #hedgehog #hedgehogsofinstagram #hedgehogs #hedgehogofinsta #pregnanthedgehog #hedgie #hedgielover #hedgehoglover

A post shared by A Prickle of Hedgehogs (@hedgehog_mom_) on Jul 19, 2017 at 6:45am PDT

15. I’d sleep standing up too, if I could. Trust me on this one.

16. What are you looking at? It’s all fluff! OK, it’s not…

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#kakariki #yellowcrownedparakeet #pregnantbird #laufsittich #springsittich #brüten ? ?

A post shared by Johanna Franz (@joh290691) on Jan 28, 2018 at 1:49pm PST

17. Get up, you lazy head! Your brother is popping out any minute now.

19. Caviar: 100% loaded

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HELLOOO??❤️ fat beauty #bigcarp #pregnantfish #babyfish ?

A post shared by Levi Gulikers (@levigulikers) on May 15, 2018 at 11:51am PDT

20. Draw me like one of your French girls…

21. Never seen a pregnant ant? Ta-daaah!

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105- The lucky ant queen ballade in Forest. #walkslowly#dontkilleverything #pics#photo#photographie#photography#photografia#forest#nature#creating#lifeprocess#pregnantAnt#antqueen#france#secretspot#ballade#walk#cool#relaxing#beautiful#watcher#2018#black#macro#macrophotography#1seconde#1shot#zen

A post shared by Capture L'âme d'un Instant – (@jaid.pics) on May 7, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

Bonus.

1. This mama needs a nap.

2. When protecting your babies makes you look like an octopus:

3. Babies can be overwhelming at times.

4. These kittens look a bit different but she loves them nonetheless.

5. A hen taking care of kittens during a storm

6. When only 1 kid takes after their dad:

7. Having 11 kids can be rough!

8. This yellow baboon adopted a bush baby.

9. A young, happy family in love

10. Nothing is more comfortable than a mommy’s tail.

11. Mommy and daddy cats with their kittens

12. When a mother duck isn’t really a duck:

13. Babies remain babies no matter their size.

14. Who can tell that these babies were adopted?

15. “My cat recently had kittens — her face is priceless.”

16. “When your adopted brother is really big but Mom doesn’t mind.”