Popular List of Animal Group Names
Animal group names are fascinating and sometimes downright quirky. These names often have historical, cultural, or linguistic origins that make them unique. Here, we’ve compiled a detailed list of animal group names, categorized for easy reference. Whether you’re looking for commonly known terms or unusual and humorous ones, we’ve got you covered.
Mammals Group Names
Each mammal species has a unique collective noun, often reflecting its behavior or characteristics.
| Animal | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Apes | Shrewdness |
| Bats | Cauldron |
| Bears | Sloth or Sleuth |
| Cats | Clowder or Glaring |
| Cows | Herd |
| Deer | Herd |
| Dogs | Pack |
| Elephants | Herd or Parade |
| Giraffes | Tower |
| Kangaroos | Mob or Troop |
| Lions | Pride |
| Monkeys | Troop or Barrel |
| Pigs | Drift or Sounder |
| Rabbits | Warren or Colony |
| Rhinoceroses | Crash |
| Seals | Pod |
| Tigers | Streak or Ambush |
| Whales | Pod |
| Wolves | Pack |
Birds Group Names
Many bird species have poetic and imaginative group names, often derived from medieval English terminology.
| Bird | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Crows | Murder |
| Eagles | Convocation |
| Flamingos | Stand or Flamboyance |
| Geese | Gaggle or Skein |
| Owls | Parliament |
| Parrots | Pandemonium |
| Peacocks | Ostentation |
| Penguins | Colony or Waddle |
| Ravens | Unkindness |
| Sparrows | Host |
| Swans | Bevy or Ballet |
| Turkeys | Rafter or Gang |
| Vultures | Venue or Wake |
| Woodpeckers | Descent |
Reptiles and Amphibians Group Names
While less commonly known, reptiles and amphibians also have distinctive collective nouns.
| Animal | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Alligators | Congregation |
| Cobras | Quiver |
| Crocodiles | Bask or Float |
| Frogs | Army |
| Lizards | Lounge |
| Snakes | Den, Pit, or Nest |
| Toads | Knot |
| Turtles | Bale or Nest |
Fish and Aquatic Animal Group Names
Aquatic creatures often have group names tied to their movement and habitat.
| Animal | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Clams | Bed |
| Crabs | Cast |
| Dolphins | Pod |
| Eels | Swarm |
| Fish (general) | School or Shoal |
| Jellyfish | Smack |
| Lobsters | Risk |
| Oysters | Bed |
| Sardines | Shoal |
| Sharks | Shiver |
| Trout | Hover |
| Whales | Pod or Gam |
Insects and Other Small Creatures Group Names
The names for insect groups often emphasize their numbers and movement patterns.
| Insect | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Ants | Colony or Army |
| Bees | Swarm or Hive |
| Butterflies | Flutter |
| Caterpillars | Army |
| Cockroaches | Intrusion |
| Flies | Cloud |
| Grasshoppers | Cloud |
| Ladybugs | Loveliness |
| Locusts | Plague |
| Mosquitoes | Scourge |
| Spiders | Cluster |
| Termites | Colony |
| Wasps | Nest or Swarm |
Unique and Weird Animal Group Names
Some animals have particularly unusual or humorous collective nouns.
| Animal | Group Name |
|---|---|
| Flamingos | Flamboyance |
| Kangaroos | Mob |
| Porcupines | Prickle |
| Rhinoceroses | Crash |
| Snails | Escargatoire (archaic) |
| Squirrels | Dray or Scurry |
| Tigers | Streak |
| Zebras | Dazzle |
Fun Facts About Animal Group Names
- The term “murder” for a group of crows dates back to medieval times when folklore associated crows with omens and death.
- “Parliament” of owls comes from mythology and literature, where owls are seen as wise creatures.
- “Flamboyance” of flamingos perfectly captures their bright pink coloration and social nature.
- “Dray” for squirrels is derived from their habit of building nests high up in trees.
Sources and References
To ensure accuracy, we’ve gathered these names from reputable sources, including:
- National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com
- Oxford English Dictionary: https://www.oed.com
- Smithsonian National Zoo: https://nationalzoo.si.edu
Final Thoughts
Animal group names are a wonderful way to appreciate the creativity and uniqueness of language in describing the natural world. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
