What term is used for a young shark after it is born or hatched? It is called a pup. “Pup” is the standard term for a young shark, whether the species gives birth to live young or hatches from an egg.
Sharks have several reproductive strategies. Some species are viviparous and give birth to fully developed young; others are ovoviviparous, with eggs hatching inside the mother before live birth; and oviparous species lay leathery egg cases. The young from all these modes are commonly called pups.
A pup is generally independent soon after birth or hatching. Shark mothers do not usually provide parental care, so newborns must swim, hunt, and avoid predators on their own. Sheltered nurseries such as shallow bays and estuaries can improve their chances of survival.
“Fry” is mainly used for young fish, while “calf” normally describes young mammals such as whales. “Larva” refers to an immature stage in animals with a distinct larval phase, not the typical term for a young shark. In some species, developing pups may even eat unfertilized eggs or sibling embryos before birth.