We all know the names of baby animals when it comes to the more domestic species like kittens and puppies. But you might be surprised by the terms used to describe each of the young animals listed below.
For instance, I always assumed baby pigs were simply known as piglets until they reached adulthood, when they dropped the “-lets.” Turns out, there’s a totally different term for them once they’ve weaned away from their mama’s milk.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the unexpected names for all sorts of baby animals found across the globe.
It’s fascinating to know there’s so much more to these tiny creatures than most of us have ever thought about!
Take a look to learn more about baby animals and the names they’re called before becoming adults.
And don’t forget to SHARE the info with your friends on Facebook!
1. Fox
Baby Name: Kit
They can also be referred to as cubs or pups, but this lesser-known term totally has a lot of charm, too.
2. Platypus
Baby Name: Puggle
Nope, this name isn’t just for the adorable breed of dog that mixes pugs and beagles. Baby echidnas, the only other mammals that lay eggs, are also given this precious name before growing into adulthood.
3. Frog
Baby Name: Pollywog
There’s a lot of debate about the difference between a tadpole and pollywog. Some claim the term pollywog is only used after the tadpole has developed their hind legs but still have the long, back tail. According to Frog Source, however, there’s absolutely no difference and the terms can be used interchangeably for any young frog.
4. Salmon
Baby Name: Smolt
This name is given to salmon in the fourth stage of their life cycle, according to the National Parks Service. It’s when they’re still young but old enough to start making their way to migrate downstream. Their scales also become silvery during this stage.
5. Alpaca
Baby Name: Cria
This comes from the Spanish term for breeding, “cría,” and is also given to young llamas until they are weaned from their mothers.
6. Oyster
Baby Name: Spat
After they’ve grown from their larval stage and attach themselves to a surface, oysters are known as this unfortunate-sounding moniker as they continue to grow, according to the National Ocean Service.
7. Hawk
Baby Name: Eyas
Unlike the fledgling birds left in the wild, this term is used specifically for hawks and falcons that are bred in captivity by falconers and conservationists.
8. Swan
Baby Name: Cygnet
These little cuties are typically born in June or July, according to Beauty of Birds, and can often be found hitching a ride on their mother’s back despite being able to feed themselves at just about 2 weeks old.
9. Pig
Baby Name: Shoat
You probably assumed (like me) that they were just called piglets until adulthood, but after a young pig has been weaned from her mama, on her own she's known as a shoat. A group of more than one shoat is called a farrow.
10. Jellyfish
Baby Name: Ephyra
After the young jellyfish detaches from the surface it has been clinging to while developing, it’s known as an ephyra, before moving onto the more menacing-sounding stage in their lifecycle as juveniles and adults: medusa.
11. Hare
Baby Name: Leveret
Not to be confused with baby rabbits, who are known as kittens. According to the Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust, leverets are left on their own shortly after birth and quickly leave to make their own way out in the wild.
Did you know all of these surprising names for baby animals?
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