There must have been something in the water when animal group names were created. Some of them are so outlandish that they sound totally made up. They’re not. They’re the real deal. Some are fancy, some are fierce, and some are completely ridiculous. Here are 15 funny but legit names for groups of animals that’ll make you wonder what the creators were drinking.
A Murder of Crows
It’s as dark and dramatic as crows. And it’s 100% real. A group of crows is called a ‘murder’, which sounds completely Alfred Hitchcock. Maybe their eerie calls or the fact that crows are super smart and a bit creepy earned them such a spooky name. Perhaps we’re best not knowing.
A Prickle of Porcupines
Do group names get any cuter? A group of porcupines is called a ‘prickle’, and it fits perfectly. They’ve got sharp quills sticking out that look pretty spiky, so ‘prickle’ paints the most accurate (and hilarious) picture possible. As cute as they look, don’t try to cuddle one. They’re prickly.
A Bloat of Hippos
If you’ve ever seen a bunch of hippos lounging together in the water, you just get it. They look like giant, floating blobs. ‘Bloat’ sounds a bit rude but totally spot-on. It’s like that bloated feeling you get when you’ve eaten a huge meal. You just want to flop. Fun fact: Hippos may look lazy, but they’re weirdly fast and super territorial.
A Crash of Rhinos
When you’ve got a group of two-ton animals running around together, ‘crash’ feels like the most appropriate term. Rhinos aren’t exactly known for their grace, and when they move as a herd, it’s all power, noise, and chaos. Elegant ballerinas, they are not. You’d hear them coming from a mile away. So crash, indeed.
An Unkindness of Ravens
Crows didn’t get all the creepy group names. Ravens got one too. A group of ravens is called an ‘unkindness,’ which sounds straight out of a gothic novel. Think of the dark feathers and haunting cries; it’s weirdly fitting, right? Why do birds get all the weird ones? Is there something we don’t know?
A Parliament of Owls
Wise, solemn, and strangely intimidating, owls gathered together supposedly resemble a parliament in session. Spot on! Imagine them sitting around in tiny suits, debating forest laws. Somehow, it just makes sense, and now you’ll never unsee it. You can imagine them lined up at London’s House of Lords. Order!
A Skulk of Foxes
‘Skulk’ means to move stealthily or sneak around. What do foxes do? Could this be a more accurate description? A skulk of foxes sounds sufficiently mysterious and mischievous, just like their sneaky, clever personalities. If the animal kingdom had an MI6, foxes would be spies. They’d be skulking fox spies.
A Cackle of Hyenas
If you’ve ever heard hyenas laugh (and it does sound like terrifying, maniacal laughter), you’ll know this name is bang-on. A group of hyenas is called a ‘cackle,’ and it perfectly captures their wild, chaotic energy. Bonus points for the pure comedy of it. It is utterly petrifying, though, very witch-like.
A Pandemonium of Parrots
No word could be better suited to one of the world’s most flamboyant birds. Yes, they’re a mass of bright colors, but the screeching sound they make is akin to…pandemonium. It’s noisy, it’s colorful, and it’s slightly overwhelming. It’s kind of like a toddler’s birthday party, but with more feathers.
A Gaggle of Geese
If you’ve ever had a goose hiss at you while you’re just trying to walk to your car, you already know geese suffer no fools. A group of them waddling around, honking and causing chaos, is officially called a ‘gaggle,’ and it fits their loud, bossy vibe perfectly. They’re fluffy but intimidating.
A Dazzle of Zebras
Zebras that move together aren’t just a herd, they’re a ‘dazzle.’ And they couldn’t be any more so. The bold black-and-white stripes are awe-inspiring, and their fast, flickering movements are captivating. Watching a zebra is like a Beyoncé concert. They really do create a dazzling, almost hypnotic sight. Animal pop stars.
A Business of Ferrets
Who decided ferrets should sound like they’re running a startup company? Too funny. A group of ferrets is called a ‘business,’ which feels completely ridiculous considering how chaotic, squirmy, and mischievous they are. Still, imagining ferrets in tiny suits is pure gold. Hands up who wants to start a business of ferrets!
An Army of Caterpillars
Before they turn into beautiful butterflies, caterpillars apparently get organized enough to form an ‘army.’ Sounds efficient. It’s pretty creepy to think about an army of squishy creatures advancing towards their target, but it’s real. An army of humans has nothing on these guys. Be prepared to fear the fluffy-legged march!
A Lounge of Lizards
Lizards already have that chill, sunbathing-on-a-rock energy, so ‘lounge’ feels spot on. A group of them hanging out is literally called a ‘lounge.’ Sounds like they should be sipping tiny tropical drinks with tiny sunglasses on. Tunes on, and it’s a lounge of lizards at a party. They’re just not moving much.
A Leap of Leopards
Leopards are one of the most powerful, graceful jumpers of the animal kingdom, and a group of them is called a ‘leap.’ Zero points for originality, bonus points for accuracy. Okay, it’s rare to actually see a bunch of leopards together as they’re pretty solitary, but when you do, the name perfectly captures their strength and agility.
