Animal Group Terminology | Fact Monster
You might be familiar with some groups of animals and their collective nouns, such as a herd of horses or a gaggle of geese. These are fairly common terms that many people associate with a particular gathering of animal species.
Some animal group terminology is obscure, unexpected, or incredibly specific. For example, a group of Indonesian mountain weasels is called a boogle!
Additionally, some animal names can be easily confused – did you know that a flock of ravens is not called a murder, but an unkindness of ravens? It’s actually a murder of crows.
So, do you know what to call a group of rhinos or jellyfish? Read on for a list of animal group names from a shrewdness of apes to a flamboyance of flamingos!
ClassificationSpecies NameGroup NameMammalsapesshrewdness assespace badgerscete batscolony bearssleuth, sloth buffalogang, obstinancy, herd catsclowder, pounce cattledrove, herd deerherd, bevy dogspack, mute, kennel elephantsherd elkgang ferretsbusiness foxleash, skulk, earth giraffestower goatstribe, trip gorillasband hippopotamusesbloat horsesteam, harras, stud, rag, string hyenascackle kangaroostroop leopardsleap lionspride martensrichness moleslabor monkeystroop, barrel mulespack, span, barren ottersromp oxenteam, yoke pigsdrift, drove, team porcupinesprickle rabbitscolony, warren, nest rhinocerosescrash sealspod, herd sheepdrove, flock, herd squirrelsdray, scurry tigersstreak whalespod, gam, herd wolvespack, routBirdsbirds in generalflight, flock, volary, brace bitternssedge buzzardswake bobolinkschain chicks (of many species)brood, clutch cootscover cormorantsgulp cranessedge crowsmurder, horde dottereltrip dovesdule eaglesconvocation finchescharm flamingosstand geeseflock, gaggle, skein grousepack gullscolony hawkscast, kettle, boil heronssedge, siege jaysparty, scold lapwingsdeceit larksexaltation mallardssord, brace magpiestiding, gulp, murder, charm nightingaleswatch owlsparliament parrotscompany partridgecovey peacocksmuster, ostentation penguinscolony pheasantnest, nide, brood, nye, bouquet ploverscongregation, wing ptarmiganscovey rooksbuilding quailbevy, covey ravensunkindness snipewalk, wisp sparrowshost starlingsmurmuration storksmustering swallowsflight swansbevy, wedge tealspring turkeysrafter, gang widgeonscompany woodcocksfall woodpeckersdescentReptiles and Amphibianscrocodilesbask frogsarmy toadsknot turtlesbale, nest snakes, vipersnestFishfish in generaldraft, nest, school, shoal bassshoal herringarmy sharksshiver trouthoverInvertebratesantscolony beesgrist, hive, swarm caterpillarsarmy clamsbed cockroachesintrusion fliesbusiness gnatscloud, horde grasshopperscloud hornetsnest jellyfishsmack locustsplague oystersbed
Gaggles and Murders and Swarms, Oh My!
From mammals to fish, birds to invertebrates, these are some of the most interesting animal names. Which one surprised you the most?
If you have an idea for an unlisted animal group name, like a constellation of star-nosed moles or a flatulence of flounders, why not drop us a line and let us know? There are plenty of animal group names out there, but the most obscure creatures might still need collective nouns!
Next up, check out the Can You Name These Baby Animals quiz or test your Endangered Animals knowledge.
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