While strolling through the Wonderopolis forest one day, we overheard an intriguing conversation between a deer and a badger:

Badger: Hello, dear! You have such adorable little cubs.

Deer: You mean my fawns? Yes, they’re cute. Your little fawn is adorable too!

Badger: You mean my cub?

Deer: Huh?

Badger: What? Why do you call your little ones fawns?

Deer: Why do you call your baby a cub?

Badger: I have no idea.

Deer: Me neither!

Their conversation made us ponder about baby animals. Why are there numerous different names for the offspring of various types of animals?

The official names of adult animals often originate from the Latin names given to specific species. However, names for animal offspring are not scientific. Instead, they have evolved over many years from various sources, including hunting and domestication.

For instance, “fawn” is the term used for the young of deer and caribou. Historians suggest that the word has a few different historical meanings. One meaning comes from the Old English word for “glad,” which also gives meaning to the modern English verb “to fawn.” The noun form comes from a Middle English word that means the “young of an animal.”

Some baby animal names are quite common. For example, baby bears, badgers, walruses, leopards, lions, and tigers are called cubs. A baby buffalo, camel, cow, elephant, elk, giraffe, rhinoceros, or whale is known as a calf.

Other animals have unique names for their offspring. Baby owls are owlets, and baby porcupines are porcupettes. Baby marsupials, such as kangaroos, koala bears, wallabies, and opossums, are called joeys. A baby hare is known as a leveret.

If you come across a kitten, it could be a baby cat, bobcat, cougar, rabbit, or skunk. On the other hand, a kit could refer to a baby beaver, ferret, fox, mink, or weasel.

One common — and somewhat scary — name for baby fish is fry. Do we call young fish fry because we’re looking forward to cooking them for dinner? Not quite!

The name fry comes from an Old Norse word (frío, freó, or fraé) meaning seed or offspring. It also used to apply to other types of young, including humans. Fans of Shakespeare might recognize the insult “young fry of treachery” used in Macbeth.

Try It Out

Are you ready to explore more baby animals? Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member:

Discover the Adorable World of Baby Animals

Looking for something to brighten up your day? Look no further than these irresistible pictures of baby animals! We’ve compiled a collection of 30 Baby Animals That Will Make You Go “Aww.” If you had the chance to adopt any baby animal as a pet, which one would you choose and why?

Did you know that baby animals have unique names? Today’s Wonder of the Day introduced us to some of them, but there are many more waiting to be discovered. Pick a few animals that pique your curiosity and find out what their adorable offspring are called.

While human babies are commonly referred to as infants or babies, we’ve come up with a variety of informal terms to describe our little ones. From “kiddo” to “small fry,” there’s a whole range of endearing names we use. Take a trip down memory lane and make a list of the names you’ve been called or used for others. Share your list with a friend or family member and see if they can add more examples.

Wonder Sources

• https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/10/baby-animals-names-fish-fry/
• http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2011/05/baby-animal-names/

FAQ

1. Why are baby deer called fawns?

Baby deer are called fawns because it is the specific term used to describe a young deer that is less than a year old. The word “fawn” comes from the Old English word “fægn,” which means “to rejoice” or “to be glad.” This name is given to baby deer because they are often seen frolicking and playing, which gives the impression that they are joyful and glad. Additionally, fawns have a distinct reddish-brown coat with white spots, which helps them blend in with their surroundings and provides them with camouflage from predators.

2. Do all deer species have fawns?

Yes, all deer species have fawns. The term “fawn” is used to refer to the young of any deer species, whether it is a white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, or any other type of deer. Fawns are born in the spring or early summer and are typically cared for by their mothers. They are usually born with spots on their coat, which helps to camouflage them and provides protection from predators. As fawns grow older, their spots will gradually fade away, and their coat will change to match the coloration of adult deer of their species.

3. How long do fawns stay with their mothers?

Fawns typically stay with their mothers for about a year. During this time, the mother deer, also known as a doe, provides her fawn with milk and teaches it important survival skills, such as finding food and staying safe from predators. The mother and fawn form a strong bond, and the fawn relies on its mother for protection and guidance. After about a year, the fawn will become independent and start to venture out on its own. At this point, it is considered a yearling and will join other deer of its age group.

4. What do fawns eat?

Fawns primarily drink their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of their life. As they grow older, they start to eat solid foods. Fawns are herbivores, which means they only eat plant material. They consume a diet consisting of leaves, grass, fruits, and other vegetation. The mother deer teaches the fawn what is safe to eat and where to find food. As the fawn gets older, it will explore its surroundings and learn to forage for food on its own. This is an important skill that will help the fawn survive once it becomes independent.

5. What are some interesting facts about fawns?

Here are some interesting facts about fawns:
– Fawns are born with white spots on their coat, which helps to camouflage them from predators.
– Fawns can walk within a few hours of being born.
– Fawns have a unique scent that helps their mother recognize them.
– Fawns are born with their eyes open and have excellent hearing.
– Fawns are known for their playful behavior, and they often engage in games of chase and tag with other fawns.
– Fawns rely on their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of their life before transitioning to a solid food diet.
– Fawns grow rapidly and can gain up to 1 pound per day during their first few months of life.