Why are baby sharks called pups?

The word "pup" is used to refer to the offspring of a number of different animals, not just dogs. It is commonly used to describe carnivores, especially when they are young or small, and often the offspring of larger or more powerful animals. This includes marine animals, and particularly predatory fish such as sharks.

Since pups are typically associated with young animals, the term can also be used in a broader context to convey a sense of playfulness or tenderness, which may be why people may use it to refer to baby sharks.

In technical scientific terms, the correct word to describe baby sharks is "whelps," however, the term pups has become more commonly known and used in popular culture and everyday language to describe young sharks.