They're A What?
by Uncle Bear
When describing groups of animals, humans use terms like "a pack of
dogs", "a herd of cattle" or "a pride of lions." As you read the list below, ask
yourself how many terms do you recognize, and how many are new.
Note: Because of the wide variation of words used to describe animal
groups, I've chosen only the most common or unusual.
A CONGREGATION OF ALLIGATORS
A SHREWDNESS OF APES
A CETE OF BADGERS
A BATTERY OF BARRACUDAS
A SOUNDER OF BOARS
A RABBLE OF BUTTERFLIES
A COALITION OF CHEETAHS
A QUIVER OF COBRAS
AN INTRUSION OF COCKROACHES
A CONSORTIUM OF CRABS
A FLOAT OF CROCODILES
A MURDER OF CROWS
A TROOP OF DOGFISH
A CLUSTER OF DRAGONFLIES
A CONVOCATION OF EAGLES
A GANG OF ELK
A GROSS OF FALCONS
A BUSINESS OF FERRETS
A SKULK OF FOXES
A HORDE OF GERBILS
A TOWER OF GIRAFFES
A TROUBLING OF GOLDFISH
A CAST OF HAWKS
AN ARRAY OF HEDGEHOGS
A BLOAT OF HIPPOS
A DRIFT OF HOGS
A BOUQUET OF HUMMINGBIRDS
A CACKLE OF HYENAS
A SHADOW OF JAGUARS
A SMACK OF JELLYFISH
A PLOT OF LEMURS
A LEAP OF LEOPARDS
A RISK OF LOBSTERS
A TIDING OF MAGPIES
A MOB OF MEERKATS
A LABOR OF MOLES
A WATCH OF NIGHTINGALES
A ROMP OF OTTERS
A STEW OF OVENBIRDS
A BED OF OYSTERS
A SCOOP OF PELICANS
A COLONY OF PENGUINS
A STRING OF PONIES
A PRICKLE OF PORCUPINES
A NURSERY OF RACCOONS
A MISCHIEF OF RATS
A RHUMBA OF RATTLESNAKES
AN UNKINDNESS OF RAVENS
A CRASH OF RHINOS
A SHOAL OF SEAHORSES
A SHIVER OF SHARKS
A SURFEIT OF SKUNKS
A HOOD OF SNAILS
A WALK OF SNIPE
A CLUSTER OF SPIDERS
A ROUNDUP OF SQUID
A MUSTERING OF STORKS
A SWIFT OF TIGERS
A MEASURE OF TAPERS
A BALE OF TURTLES
A PITYING OF TURTLEDOVES
A POT OF WATER BUFFALOS
A SNEAK OF WEASELS
A DESCENT OF WOODPECKERS
A DAZZLE OF ZEBRAS
You'll see some of these and others in "An Exultation of Larks," by James Lipton.
Uncle Bear is a writer and researcher in North Carolina. He can be reached through:
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