Animals and Their Baby Names in English

Learning the specific names used for baby animals is a great way to expand your English vocabulary. Animal young often have unique terms that differ from adult names, making these words essential for reading, nature conversations, and general knowledge. Below is a comprehensive list of animals alongside the correct vocabulary used for their babies.

Alpaca and Cria

Cria (Alpaca)

A baby alpaca is called a cria. Crias are typically born during the day and are able to stand and nurse shortly after birth.

Bear and Cub

Cub (Bear)

A baby bear is called a cub. Bear cubs are born blind and hairless inside winter dens and rely heavily on their mother's milk to grow quickly.

Camel and Calf

Calf (Camel)

A baby camel is called a calf. Camel calves are born without hard humps and learn to walk alongside their mothers within a few hours of birth.

Cat and Kitten

Kitten (Cat)

A baby cat is called a kitten. Kittens are playful young felines that depend entirely on their mother during the first few weeks of life.

Cow and Calf

Calf (Cow)

A baby cow is called a calf. Calves are young bovine animals raised on dairy and livestock farms across the world.

Deer and Fawn

Fawn (Deer)

A baby deer is called a fawn. Fawns often feature light white spots on their coats that help camouflage them in grassy forest habitats.

Dog and Puppy

Puppy (Dog)

A baby dog is called a puppy. Puppies are inquisitive young canines known for their energetic behavior and social play.

Donkey and Foal

Foal (Donkey)

A baby donkey is called a foal. Donkey foals develop strong bonds with their mothers and learn herd communication early in life.

Duck and Duckling

Duckling (Duck)

A baby duck is called a duckling. Ducklings hatch covered in soft down feathers and naturally follow their mother into water to swim.

Elephant and Calf

Calf (Elephant)

A baby elephant is called a calf. Elephant calves are protected by the entire maternal herd and gradually learn how to use their trunks over time.

Fox and Kit

Kit (Fox)

A baby fox is called a kit (or cub/pup). Kits grow up inside underground dens where both parents help care for and feed them.

Giraffe and Calf

Calf (Giraffe)

A baby giraffe is called a calf. Giraffe calves stand tall even at birth and can run within hours to stay close to their mothers.

Goat and Kid

Kid (Goat)

A baby goat is called a kid. Goat kids are energetic, curious, and famous for their agility and playful jumping.

Gorilla and Infant

Infant (Gorilla)

A baby gorilla is called an infant. Gorilla infants cling tightly to their mother's fur for transport and safety during their early months.

Hare and Leveret

Leveret (Hare)

A baby hare is called a leveret. Leverets are born fully furred with open eyes, allowing them to remain well-hidden from predators.

Hen and Chick

Chick (Hen)

A baby chicken is called a chick. Chicks break out of eggs after an incubation period and start pecking for food under the hen's protection.

Hippopotamus and Calf

Calf (Hippopotamus)

A baby hippopotamus is called a calf. Hippo calves are often born underwater and must swim up to the surface immediately to take their first breath.

Horse and Foal

Foal (Horse)

A baby horse is called a foal. Foals have long legs relative to their body size and can run alongside the herd shortly after birth.

Hyena and Cub

Cub (Hyena)

A baby hyena is called a cub. Hyena cubs are born in communal burrows where they are raised under the protection of the pack clan.

Kangaroo and Joey

Joey (Kangaroo)

A baby kangaroo is called a joey. Joeys grow and complete their development inside their mother's protective pouch before venturing outside.

Koala and Joey

Joey (Koala)

A baby koala is called a joey. Like kangaroo joeys, koala joeys live inside their mother's pouch before riding on her back as they grow.

Lion and Cub

Cub (Lion)

A baby lion is called a cub. Lion cubs are born with faint spots that fade over time and learn hunting behavior through group play in the pride.

Monkey and Infant

Infant (Monkey)

A baby monkey is called an infant. Monkey infants cling to their mothers' undersides for safety while climbing through forest canopies.

Pig and Piglet

Piglet (Pig)

A baby pig is called a piglet. Piglets are highly intelligent young animals that communicate with distinct squeaks and grunts.

Rabbit and Kit

Kit (Rabbit)

A baby rabbit is called a kit (short for kitten). Kits are born hairless and hairless inside underground nests known as burrows.

Raccoon and Kit

Kit (Raccoon)

A baby raccoon is called a kit. Raccoon kits remain in tree dens during early life and learn foraging skills from their mothers.

Rat and Pup

Pup (Rat)

A baby rat is called a pup. Rat pups grow rapidly and rely on their nest community for warmth and nourishment during their initial weeks.

Sheep and Lamb

Lamb (Sheep)

A baby sheep is called a lamb. Lambs are recognizable by their soft, curly fleece and gentle vocal bleating.

Squirrel and Kit

Kit (Squirrel)

A baby squirrel is called a kit (or pup). Squirrel kits live in leafy tree nests called drey nests until they are strong enough to climb.

Weasel and Kit

Kit (Weasel)

A baby weasel is called a kit. Weasel kits are slender, agile carnivores that quickly learn hunting techniques in dense vegetation.

Wolf and Pup

Pup (Wolf)

A baby wolf is called a pup. Wolf pups are raised cooperatively by all adult members of the wolf pack inside protective dens.

Zebra and Foal

Foal (Zebra)

A baby zebra is called a foal. Zebra foals are born with reddish-brown stripes that gradually turn black as they mature.