What is the term used to refer to baby seals?

The term "pups" specifically refers to baby seals and is widely used in marine biology and animal science to describe the young of this species. This terminology distinguishes seals from other mammals, as distinct terms exist for their young in the context of other animal families, such as "cubs" for bears and "kits" for certain small mammals.

Pups are typically born on land or ice and are nurtured by their mothers until they are old enough to hunt for food on their own, which adds to the relevance of the term in both scientific and casual discussions about seal populations. This understanding forms an important part of wildlife biology, conservation efforts, and public awareness campaigns about marine life and its preservation.

While other terms like "cubs" refer to the young of different species, they are not applicable to seals, making "pups" the accurate choice in this context.