cub

Cub is a noun used to describe the juvenile offspring of certain mammals. The term is most commonly applied to young bears, lions, tigers, wolves, and seals, but it can be used for other carnivores as well. For many other animals, different terms are used, such as kitten, pup, fawn, or calf. The origin of the word is uncertain, with earliest attestations in Middle English; it has come to denote a young animal dependent on its mother.

Cubs are usually born helpless and rely on their mother for nourishment and protection. They learn essential skills through observation and play, and their development proceeds at species-specific rates. The length of the cub phase varies, from weeks to years, depending on the species. Cubs eventually disperse or integrate into family groups as they grow capable of independent survival.

In human culture, the word cub appears in the name of the youth program Cub Scouts, which aims to teach outdoor skills, teamwork, and citizenship to children. The term is also used as a mascot or nickname in sports and branding to convey playfulness or youth.

See also: juvenile, offspring, pup, kitten, fawn, calf, cub scouts.