Pup facts for kids
A pup is a name for the baby of many different animals. You might hear it used for young dogs, but it's also used for the babies of seals, sharks, and even some smaller animals like mice and rats. The word 'pup' can also refer to a famous old airplane!
What is a Pup?
The word "pup" is often used to describe the young of many different animal species. It's a common term that helps us talk about baby animals in a simple way. While it's most famous for dogs, many other creatures have pups too.
Baby Animals Called Pups
Many animals give birth to babies that are called pups. Here are some of the most well-known:
- Dogs and Canines: The most common use of "pup" is for a baby Dog. This also includes other members of the canine family, like foxes, wolves, and coyotes. These pups are born blind and helpless, relying on their mothers for care.
- Seals: Baby seals are also called pups. They are born on land or ice and are very cute with their soft fur. Seal pups grow quickly, learning to swim and hunt from their mothers.
- Sharks: Even baby sharks are known as pups! They hatch from eggs or are born live, depending on the shark species. Shark pups are usually born ready to swim and find food on their own.
- Small Mammals: Many small mammals have pups. This includes mice, rats, and even pigs. These animals often have large litters, meaning many pups are born at once.
- Other Animals: Some other interesting animals that have pups include ring-tailed lemurs.
The Sopwith Pup Airplane
Besides baby animals, "pup" can also refer to a famous airplane from history. The Sopwith Pup was a type of biplane fighter aircraft. It had only one seat for the pilot. This plane was used by the British during World War I, which took place from 1914 to 1918. It was known for being easy to fly and very agile in the sky.
