12 little-known collective nouns for animals

10.04.2020

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Nature Story: 12 little-known collective nouns for animals

If you don't know which creatures gather in parliaments, charms and businesses, there are some bizarre and strange collective nouns for animals you need to find out about.

Not all of these nouns are commonly used, even by scientists, but all of them were invented and recognized at some point of time. These words do not only reflect unique traits of animals – they show how powerful human creativity is.

#1 Rhinoceroses:

Nature Story: What is a group of rhinos called? — shutterstock

A group of rhinos can be more commonly called a crash.

#2 Porcupines:

Nature Story: What is a group of porcupines called? — shutterstock

It's definitely among the most adorable animal group names. A prickle of hedgehogs also works.

#3 Ferrets:

Nature Story: What is a group of ferrets called? — shutterstock

According to some sources, this collective noun appeared decades ago when ferrets were used to hunt rabbits. That was their business, or, historically, busyness.

#4 Seals:

Nature Story: What is a group of seals called? — shutterstock

The term rookery usually refers to birds, but is also applicable to several marine mammals.

#5 Kangaroos:

Nature Story: What is a group of kangaroos called? — shutterstock

Kangaroos live in mobs to support and protect each other. These groups consist of 5 to 40 individuals.

#6 Butterflies:

Nature Story: What is a group of butterflies called? — shutterstock

This one is definitely one of the most illustrative collective nouns for animals. A kaleidoscope of butterflies can also be called a flutter.

#7 Wombats:

Nature Story: What is a group of wombats called? — shutterstock

It seems like wombats always rely on collective wisdom to make important decisions.

#8 Kittens:

Nature Story: What is a group of kittens called? — shutterstock

To kindle means to cause strong emotions. A group of kittens definitely can do that!

Try to ace this unusual grammar trivia quiz for people who love kittens and puppies.

#9 Wolves:

Nature Story: What is a group of wolves called? — pxfuel

The word pack is widely used today, but rout is among the oldest names for groups of animals. It was derived from the Middle French for "company."

#10 Hummingbirds:

Nature Story: What is a group of hummingbirds called? — shutterstock

Yes, these tiny birds are absolutely charming!

#11 Owls:

Nature Story: What is a group of owls called? — shutterstock

Owls have always been considered birds of wise disposition, that's why a group of them is called a parliament.

#12 Tigers:

Nature Story: What is a group of tigers called? — shutterstock

Solitary tigers rarely gather in groups, but when they do it's called a streak or an ambush.

If you enjoyed this list of unusual animal group names, you can find more hilarious examples in this fun trivia quiz.

Did you know any of these names for groups of animals before? Do you know any other strange collective nouns for animals?

Gain more knowledge about the world with our articles, fun trivia quizzes and trivia questions.

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27 Comments

Lea Rowe

My favorite has always been a murder of crows...

carole winslow

Being a long-time volunteer at my local zoo, most of these were familiar but some were new to me. My favorite term for a group of animals: a flamboyance of flamingos! The mental image this prompts is glorious.

Brendan Brannigan

A kindle of kittens, but a clowder of cats. 🤔

John W Shreve

Krishna Chandra Singh Sanger, excellent

John W Shreve

I'll just share one: A muddle of Guinea pigs.

MRogers

patricia crosland, someone may well have had too much time on their hands, but I was aware of several of these examples and some others not specified long before my participation in Quizzclub