As We Travel - Weird Names For Groups Of Animals |
Posted: November 17, 2019 |
Animal Collective NounsWhat ensued was a lengthy question and answer period about names for various groups of animals. A pride of lions, a herd of cows, and a murder of crows I already knew, but when it started to get a little out there, “Mommy, what do you call a group of zebras? ” I had to ask Uncle Google for help. A shrewdness of apes, a rabble of butterflies, a coalition of cheetahs — names for groups of animals vary from quirky to confusing. I read a post saying that a group of pandas is called an embarrassment. How do you remember the 8 levels of classification?The Class Amphibia (or amphibians) includes three Orders:Anura (frogs and toads) – about 6,500 species. Caudata or Urodela (newts and salamanders) – about 680 species. Gymnophiona or Apoda (caecilians) – about 205 species. Whether it's a shrewdness of apes or a zeal of zebras, lots of animals have bizarre names when they cluster into crowds. Collective names for groups of animals are said to date back to medieval times, which may explain why some of these names can be strange, surprising or downright funny to us, such as an unkindness of ravens. In the spirit of the fanciful language used by our ancestors, more modern terms for animal groups can have a fun twist, like a crash of rhinoceroses. As best site spread through Sonoma County in northern California over the weekend, local animal shelters were forced to evacuate. The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) saved the day when it opened its doors to the 20 dogs and 22 cats in need of shelter. Now, the animal sanctuary is calling on people to adopt the pets. You probably know that a group of wolves is called a pack, or that a group of puppies is called a litter, but there are many collective nouns for animals that are much less well-known, and frankly very strange. Not only is it fun to say certain names for groups of animals, but it is interesting as well. Our list is by no means exhaustive, so please share more collective nouns for groups of animals in the comments below. And for a little light relief after learning that list check out our funny animal puns slideshow. Collective names for groups of animals are said to date back to medieval times, which may explain why some of these names can be strange, surprising or downright funny to us, such as an unkindness of ravens. In the spirit of the fanciful language used by our ancestors, more modern terms for animal groups can have a fun twist, like a crash of rhinoceroses.
A zeal of zebrasI also know that a group of crows is called a murder, and a group of polar bears in called an aurora. Yes, some names for groups of animals are pretty surprising. Here are 19 of the weirdest ones, with some help from USGS and the OED. Whip them out at trivia night, or share them with the animal lovers you know. Whether it's a shrewdness of apes, a pandemonium of parrots or a zeal of zebras, lots of animals have bizarre names when they gather in groups. Well, it's thought that just one woman born in the 14th century came up with nearly all of the collective nouns we use today when talking about groups of animals. And although many are commonly known, chances are there's still a few you've never herd of. I mean, heard of. The collective names given to groups of animals can be as unique as the animals themselves and highlight certain traits of that group. Remember that, and when you think of a group of skunks the word stench should immediately come to mind. Originally, these nouns were used primarily as hunting terms, but they have since extended into the everyday vernacular. Some of these terms, however, are so odd that you would likely only find them in literature or poetry.
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