In honor of National Pet Month (May), here are words for groups of animals (in case you want to adopt several animals 🤗🥰.)
Did you know that there are different words for groups of cats, depending upon how old they are? A group of kittens is called a “kindle.” A group of adult cats is called a “clowder.” And a family of cats may also be called a “clutter” or a “glaring.” Does that mean that my cat Sam’s glare says he thinks I am part of his family? 😾😻 HAHA! (see this post: Spelling Sounds – BB’s Words if you haven’t seen / heard my cat, Sam)
Below is a short list. Some of these names are super fun because they describe the animal. For example, a group of sloths is a “bed.” Of course, it is! Slow-moving dudes must sleep.
What is your favorite name for a group of animals?
Alligators: congregation
Ants: colony
Baboons: troop
Butterflies: kaleidoscope, flutter
Camels: caravan
Caterpillars: army
Cobras: quiver
Crows: murder
Donkeys: drove
Eagles: convocation, soar
Elephants: parade, herd
Emus: mob
Ferrets: business
Fish: school
Flamingos: flamboyance, stand
Foxes: skulk, leash
Geese: gaggle, flock
Giraffes: tower
Gnats: cloud, horde
Goldfinches: charm
Hawks: cast, kettle
Hippopotamuses: bloat, thunder
Horses: team, herd
Hummingbirds: charm
Hyenas: cackle
Kangaroos: mob
Lemurs: conspiracy
Mice: mischief
Opossum: passel
Ostrich: wobble, flock, herd, pride
Otters: romp, raft
Owls: parliament
Peacocks: ostentation
Penguins: colony
Porcupines: prickle
Raccoons: gaze
Rattlesnakes: den, pit
Ravens: unkindness, conspiracy
Skunks: stench
Sloths: bed
Squirrels: scurry
Stingrays: fever
Swans: bevy
Tigers: ambush, streak
Zebras: dazzle, zeal
A lot of these make sense, which I find fun because often in scientific naming it’s also very clear, but in Latin. I do believe though there must be a better name for raccoons… maybe like a burglary or a bin (since they love garbage bins).
Hi, Eric.
Yes, about the making sense names. I especially think that a “flutter” of butterflies, a “cloud” of gnats (I don’t think that I have ever seen just one), and an “ostentation” of peacocks are apt descriptions. I agree about needing a better name for racoons! And I love your options!! Let’s start a trend . . .
Love the ‘conspiracy of lemurs.’ I’ve never heard of lemurs causing any trouble. Maybe that’s because they’re so good at conspiracies…
Super funny thought! Yes, I guess that’s true – conspiracies are supposed to be secret. 😄
I’ve seen Sam’s glaring at his family members and it must mean love, protection and where are my treats?!? ☺️
This whole post is my favorite so far! Most of those I was not familiar with.
A kaleidoscope of butterflies is one I did know and it perfectly describes a flurry of butterflies. I see these large and vibrant groups often when visiting Jamaica, especially in the mountains. Breathtaking and I have a nice collection of videos!
Because I’m a Floridian, the head-scratcher is a congregation of alligators. I’ve seen these groups in the wild and now wonder are they plotting or ‘preying’?
Fun that you see a kaleidoscope of so many butterflies in Jamaica!
SUPER FUNNY about alligators ‘preying’!!