hatchling

Everyday

A hatchling is a baby animal that has just come out of its egg, such as a bird, turtle, snake or crocodile. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on life cycles, «hatch» is when the young breaks out of the egg and «hatchling» names the newborn. Sea turtle hatchlings crawl to the ocean at night, guided by moonlight; beach lights can confuse them.

Examples

• The turtle hatchlings raced towards the sea. tree →
• We watched the chick hatchlings in the classroom incubator. tree →
• A crocodile mother carries hatchlings in her mouth. tree →
• The hatchling was wet and tiny. tree →
• Lights on the beach confuse sea turtle hatchlings. tree →
• Hatchlings need warmth to survive. tree →

Note

Countable. «-ling» means small or young (duckling, gosling). A hatchling is just hatched; later it becomes a «nestling» or «fledgling» (birds).