Which type of animal development occurs predominantly inside the mother?

Viviparous development refers to a reproductive strategy in which embryos develop inside the mother's body and receive direct nourishment from her, typically through a placental connection. This method allows for a greater degree of protection and development for the embryo, as it is shielded from external environmental conditions and can more efficiently obtain nutrients and oxygen needed for growth.

In viviparous animals, young are born alive, which often leads to a higher survival rate compared to those that are laid as eggs, as is the case in oviparous species. Ovoviviparous animals, while also giving birth to live young, have embryos that develop within eggs that hatch inside the mother's body, and they do not receive nutritional support directly from the mother. Therefore, this form of development does not fit the criteria of predominantly occurring inside the mother, as the embryos don't utilize maternal nutrients in the same way as viviparous species do.

Oviparous animals lay eggs that develop outside of the mother's body entirely, which is the opposite of the internal development characteristic of viviparity. The term 'carnivorous' does not pertain to a type of development but rather describes a dietary habit, hence it is not relevant to the question.