List of Names for Groups of Animals

Collective names for groups of animals are said to date back to medieval times, which may explain why some of these names can be strange, surprising or downright funny to us, such as an unkindness of ravens. In the spirit of the fanciful language used by our ancestors, more modern terms for animal groups can have a fun twist, like a crash of rhinoceroses. Whether it is a group of mammals, birds or even insects, there is a unique collective noun to identify the specific group, although some of these names are rarely used. Most people are likely to use the general term flock for a group of eagles, rather than the proper term convocation. Still, it's good to know the correct collective noun, even if it's just to wow your friends.

Collective Names for Animals We've gathered together a list of 60 groups of animals and their collective nouns - some animal groups can have more than one collective noun - that you may or may not have heard of. Whenever animals gather in groups, they are formally called: Apes: a shrewdness

Badgers: a cete

Bats: a colony, cloud or camp

Bears: a sloth or sleuth

Bees: a swarm

Buffalo: a gang or obstinacy

Camels: a caravan

Cats: a clowder or glaring; Kittens: a litter or kindle; Wild cats: a destruction

Cobras: a quiver

Crocodiles: a bask

Crows: a murder

Dogs: a pack; Puppies: a litter

Donkeys: a drove

Eagles: a convocation

Elephants: a parade

Elk: a gang or a herd

Falcons: a cast

Ferrets: a business

Fish: a school

Flamingos: a stand

Foxes: a skulk or leash

Frogs: an army

Geese: a gaggle

Giraffes: a tower

Gorillas: a band

Hippopotami: a bloat

Hyenas: a cackle

Jaguars: a shadow

Jellyfish: a smack

Kangaroos: a troop or mob

Lemurs: a conspiracy

Leopards: a leap

Lions: a pride

Moles: a labor

Monkeys: a barrel or troop

Mules: a pack

Otters: a family

Oxen: a team or yoke

Owls: a parliament

Parrots: a pandemonium

Pigs: a drift or drove (younger pigs), or a sounder or team (older pigs)

Porcupines: a prickle

Rabbits: a herd

Rats: a colony

Ravens: an unkindness

Rhinoceroses: a crash

Shark: a shiver

Skunk: a stench

Snakes: a nest

Squirrels: a dray or scurry

Stingrays: a fever

Swans: a bevy or game (if in flight: a wedge)

Tigers: an ambush or streak

Toads: a knot

Turkeys: a gang or rafter

Turtles: a bale or nest

Weasels: a colony, gang or pack

Whales: a pod, school, or gam

Wolves: a pack

Zebras: a zeal To expand your vocabulary even more, YourDictionary can help you learn some animal names in Spanish.

Animal Names Can Highlight Traits Not only is it fun to say certain names for groups of animals, but it is interesting as well. The collective names given to groups of animals can be as unique as the animals themselves and highlight certain traits of that group. Remember that, and when you think of a group of skunks the word stench should immediately come to mind. Our list is by no means exhaustive, so please share more collective nouns for groups of animals in the comments below. And for a little light relief after learning that list check out our funny animal puns slideshow. List of Names for Groups of Animals