As we have pointed out in the past, Sea Lion pups do not know how to swim at birth and must be taught by mom. Oftentimes the pups are cautious about approaching the water but not this little guy. Not even two weeks old, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium's newest baby Sea Lion dives right in and bops around, albeit a bit awkwardly. This is the first pup for mother Maggie and only the second at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, so staff are keeping a watchful eye on the talkative and active pup.

Read more below the fold.

We can't get enough of the Pittsburgh Zoo's Painted Hunting Dogs. Their submissive nature is very much on display in this adorable video as they build up the courage to collectively take a dip. (Note that the sound goes in and out.)

See more of the little guys here and here.

The Pittsburgh Zoo just launched a new consolidated YouTube channel so fans can follow their furry, feathered and scaled residents. Here we present some of our favorite Pittsburgh Zoo baby videos from the past year or so.

Painted African Hunting Dog puppies (earlier posts here and here)

Baby Sea Lion Swim Lesson (an oldie but goodie)

North American Beaver pup

North American River Otter pups

Last month we brought you the Pittsburgh Zoo's new litter of orphan Painted Hunting Dog pups which were being nursed by a surrogate domestic dog. Today we check back in on the feisty and playful (and a little wild) puppies, now about six weeks old. Note that the video sound goes in and out.

The endangered Painted Hunting Dog or African Wild Dog once numbered as many as 500,000 individuals but human population growth has shrunk that number to only about 3,000. Almost unheard of among social mammals, the Painted Hunting Dog's social structure is a submission-based hierarchy, meaning whoever begs the most gets the most food instead of whomever is most aggressive. 

These nine pups were born just days ago at the Pittsburgh Zoo but sadly the mother died shortly thereafter. Luckily a surrogate mixed breed dog was found who was happy to step-in.

 

 

 

Note that the video has no sound

 

As we explained last week, baby sea lions must learn to swim like baby birds learn to fly. Here we have high-drama video of the Pittsburgh Zoo's newest sea lion pup, born June 13th, learning the basics.

Moja the elephant set a new world record for the longest African elephant pregnancy. After 688 days (!!!), Moja gave birth to her first calf in nine years at the Pittsburgh Zoo this summer. Luckily for the youngster, another baby elephant was born just a few weeks earlier and, as you can see in the more recent pictures, they make perfect playmates.

The calf prepares to take her first steps

Playpals. Check out their muddy trunks!