Baby Sea Animal Names: Calves, Fry, and Pups

The ocean is home to some amazing baby animals with equally amazing names.

Marine Mammal Babies

Whale calf — born tail-first and swims immediately

Dolphin calf — born after 12 months of pregnancy

Seal pup — some species can swim within hours

Walrus pup — weighs 100-165 pounds at birth!

Sea otter pup — born with fluffy fur that acts as a floatation device

Fish Babies

Baby fish are called fry when they've used up their yolk sac. Before that, they're called larvae or fingerlings when they're the size of a human finger.

Other Sea Babies

Ephyra — baby jellyfish (from Greek for "morning dew")

Pluteus — baby sea urchin (free-swimming larva)

Nauplius — baby barnacle (named after a Greek god)

Zoea — baby crab (from Greek for "life")

Amazing Facts

Male seahorses give birth to up to 2,000 fry!

Whale calves drink 200 liters of milk per day

Sea otter moms wrap pups in kelp to keep them from drifting