Politically it’s been an ugly week, so let’s do some cute baby animals. And we’ll even make it educational and list the official term for each baby along with the official name for a group!
Koala loves belly scratches:
A baby koala is called a joey. Don’t think this is a baby, though.
There is no collective noun for koalas; they don’t gather into groups. So you’re free to make up a name of your own. I’m gonna go with a stench of koalas, given how they smell so bad.
Ikea monkey:
There is no such species of monkey: Ikea Monkey was a Japanese Snow Macaque named Darwin, who was discovered wandering around in an Ikea store in Ontario in 2012. Wearing a fur coat, no less. A baby Snow Macaque is called an infant. Kind of boring. I’m not sure why this is set to Dust in the Wind: no word on whether they’re Kansas fans. A group of Macaques is called a mission, tribe, troop or cartload.
This is how baby otters roll:
This little fella got high-centered lying on his back and couldn’t get up. So he rolled–off the dock and into the water. Don’t worry; Mama was there to catch him. He sounds like a hungry human baby, no less.
Baby otters are called pups or kittens.
Baby giraffes run and play:
Baby giraffes are best viewed from a safe distance: If you get too close to her baby, a Mama giraffe doesn’t go Mama Bear; she goes Mama Giraffe. Don’t laugh; it’s not a joke: A giraffe can kill a full-grown lion with a single kick.
A baby giraffe is called a calf.
Bears in our pool:
Bears do indeed poop in the woods. I suspect they’ll do it in your pool as well. My advice: Let ’em swim and poop all they like. Clean up after they leave.
Baby bears are called cubs. You already knew that, so no points.
Cyclist meets family of skunks:
Kudos to the cyclist: He was smart enough hold still while Mama skunk and her kits sniff around his front tire and left shoe, then waddle away. The kits get my vote for the most adorable baby animal sounds in this week’s entire Steamin’ Pile of Memes.
Baby duckling falls asleep under flower hat in mint garden:
I’ve heard covering a bird cage with a sheet will put the bird to sleep. Apparently ducks go to sleep if you put flowers on their heads.
A baby duck is called a duckling, so although I avoid being a grammar Nazi, I do feel compelled to point out that a “baby duckling” is a baby baby duck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoVoX4F-AQ
How a sloth gets a bath:
What do you call an animal that’s adorable and creepy at the same time? I bet there’s a German word for it.
A baby sloth is a cub. Boring! A group of sloths is called a snuggle. D’aaaw!
Baby elephant throwing a tantrum:
Not sure why they call this a tantrum–the baby elephant’s swaying around to The Banana Boat Song like he’s auditioning for Beetlejuice. Baby elephants are called calfs.
Baby panda’s cute voice:
Panda babies are called cubs. You already knew that, of course, but I posted this so you could hear what panda cubs sound like.
Babies and puppies sleeping together:
Baby dogs are puppies. You knew that too, but enjoy this anyway.
Taronga’s latest arrival!
Taronga Zoo hadn’t named this new hippo calf when this video was made; maybe they’ll have a naming contest. If so, I hope they don’t name her Calfy McCalfface.
Lions cubs play; Mom eats
So cute! It reminds me of my own childhood, when my sisters and I would play and Mom kept an eye on us while gnawing on raw meat.
Sea lion pup nurses, naps, nurses
Another pup, another priceless opportunity to come up with an interesting name wasted.
Baby animals video compilation:
Baby bunnies and beavers are called kits; baby birds are chicks or hatchlings; baby hedgehogs are called hoglets; baby chipmunks, guinea pigs, and gerbils are pups; baby dinosaurs are called–wait, baby dinosaurs? Looks like someone put a clip from one of the Jurassic Parks movies in here!
Baby deer are calves; raccoons are kits; baby pigs are piglets; baby snakes are snakelets; baby owls are owlets; a baby fish is a fry.
It’s official: hoglets is the coolest baby name!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuD7uCyz7l4
