When animals congregate, interesting things happen. Even more interesting is that these groups have special and unusual names—some are real head-scratchers; some seem to make perfect sense. Take a look at these collective nouns for groups of common birds, mammals, and reptiles:
25 of the Strangest Names For Groups of Animals
- Alligators – a congregationApes – a shrewdnessBats – a colony or cauldronBears – a sleuthCats – a clowderCrows – a murderDonkeys – a paceFerrets – a businessFox – a skulk or leashGerbils – a hordeGiraffes – a towerHippopotamuses – a bloatHyenas – a cackleLeopards – a leapMartens – a richnessOwls – a parliamentPorcupines – a prickleRaccoons – a nursery or gazeRats – a mischiefRhinos – a crashSkunks – a surfeitSquirrels – a drayToads – a knotTurtles – a baleWhales – a pod
One more: Don’t believe what you read on the internet—a group of baboons is not a “congress” as has been circulating widely. The correct term is a “troop” of baboons. Now you know!
