- These names go from perfectly accurate to total nonsense.
When you see a lot of animals in one spot, it’s easiest to say you just saw a “bunch of cows” or something. If you want to be more specific, you might say you spotted a “flock of seagulls.”
But when you really get down into the nitty gritty, many groups of animals have specific — and often quite unusual — names associated with them. We’re sure you’ve heard of a troop of monkeys or a murder of crows, for instance.
There are much weirder monikers out there, though. Here are 15 examples of strange names for groups of animals.
An Army of Herring
“Schools” of fish are already kind of strange, but herrings take things one step further. Instead of classrooms, they organize themselves in armies.
Fortunately, it’s just a turn of phrase. Fishing might otherwise be a much more dangerous occupation than it already is.
An Audience of Squids
Squids are typically solitary underwater creatures. If they do decide to get together, however, they’ll form an audience.
That just begs the question — what has the audience of squids gathered to see?
A Business of Flies
Seeing dozens of flies swarming over something is generally a good indication to keep away. That’s a smart move too, because those flies mean business.
We tried but couldn’t figure out why anyone would call a bunch of flies a “business.” Just stick to “swarm.”
A Chain of Bobolinks
A chain is formed of a bunch of links. As such, it only makes sense that a bunch of bobolinks would form a chain as well.
In case you don’t what the heck a bobolink is, they’re small migratory birds that move back and forth between the northern U.S. and South America with the seasons. The next time you spot some, you know what to call them.
A Conspiracy of Lemurs
Damned lemurs, always scheming and plotting. What conspiracy have they come up with this time?
Oh, that’s just what you call them when they get together? Well, keep an eye on them anyway.
They seem suspicious.
A Crash of Rhinoceroses
Talk about an appropriate title. When a group of rhinos get together, you can bet they’re going to crash into something.
That something is most likely each other, though. Rhinos really would prefer to not form a crash.
A Hood of Snails
Snails in the hood! Literally.
There are actually a whole bunch of words for when snails for a slimy ball. You could call it a rout, a walk, or an escargatoire if you’re feeling fancy.
An Intrusion of Cockroaches
If you’ve ever had to deal with roaches, you’ll know how accurate this title is. They sure form an intrusion, alright.
Even this word is too nice for cockroaches, though. Can we call them something like a “horrible mass” instead?
A Kettle of Hawks
Hawks don’t flock. A group of hawks, specifically in flight, is instead called a “kettle.”
Don’t ask us why that is. Still, a kettle of hawks surfing on hot air currents is quite a sight.
A Knot of Toads
If you’d asked us to pick an animal that would form a “knot,” we probably would’ve picked snakes. Yet, the correct answer would be toads.
It’s kind of appropriate, though. Have you ever seen a pond full of toads in spring when they’re getting all down and dirty?
A Leap of Leopards
Here’s another very appropriate name. Although leopards spend most of their lives in solitude, a “leap” is a very good word to use when they’re together.
We’re just saying, a leopard can jump 20 feet forward and 10 feet straight up.
A Maelstrom of Salamanders
The title for the coolest animal group title has to go to salamanders. After all, coming together in a maelstrom sounds pretty awesome.
Then again, it’s somehow off, considering salamanders are associated with fire in many legends. Which in turn is weird for an animal that can’t be out of the water for all that long.
A Parliament of Owls
Owls often stand as symbols of wisdom, so it makes sense that they’d form some kind of a sophisticated group. A “parliament” is a pretty good one.
As long as they don’t get stuck squabbling endlessly over whether to improve the hooting quota for the next year.
A Shadow of Jaguars
Just like leopards, a group of jaguars has a very apt name. These sneaky big cats sure do blend into the shadows of their forest homes.
All that said, jaguars are very territorial animals. Maybe it’s called a “shadow of jaguars” because no one’s ever actually seen one.
A Tribe of Goats
People who look after goats are called shepherds, but perhaps a tribal chieftain would be more appropriate. After all, goats live in tribes.
Well, tribes or trips. But considering how destructive even a sober goat can be, we’d hate to see them tripping.