Creature Feature – What’s in a Name?

Many animal species congregate into groups of their own kind. There are different reasons why they do this. One purpose is reflected in the old adage “there’s safety in numbers.”  There is a real advantage to having many eyes and ears on alert, and a large group of animals can discourage a predator. Also, the collective wisdom of several individuals helps the group make better decisions to enhance their survival.  

You probably know that a group of wolves is called a pack, but how many of these other animal group names do you recognize?  While some seem fitting, others are odd, and a few are downright silly. 

A shrewdness of apes; a caravan of camels; a glaring of cats; a murder of crows; a raft of ducks; a convocation of eagles; a stand of flamingos; a skulk of foxes; a gaggle of geese; a tower of giraffes; a scold of jays; a romp of otters; a prickle of porcupines; an unkindness of ravens; a squabble of seagulls; a scurry of squirrels; a gang of turkeys; a bale of turtles; a wake of vultures; and a zeal of zebras. 

Article & Photo by Margie Manthey