The word skulk comes from a Scandinavian word and generally means to wait, lurk or move stealthily. Owls are associated with wisdom so a group of owls is called a ‘parliament’ (hmm not so sure about that one!)Ī group of foxes is called a ‘skulk’. A nest of squirrels is called a ‘dray’ but is a ‘scurry’ for a group of unrelated males. Other collective nouns for specific horse groups include rag/bachelor herd (colts), troop (military horses), stud (breeding horses), and a string (horses that belong to one person).Ī ‘congregation’ of alligators or crocodiles – I suppose you could liken that to a group of people (congregation) raptly watching a preacher, but in this case the preacher might be you, the target!Ī ‘pride’ of lions we have probably all heard of, perhaps because of their regal and stately quality, but I came across a ‘mob’ of emus, which also applies to kangaroos.Ī ‘troop’ of monkeys is quite common, and a group of armadillos is called a ‘roll’ (probably as they tend to roll up when they are threatened). ‘Herd’ is the commonly used name for a group of cattle, elephants or deer, but also horses. Another possible origin comes from people who view the ‘appearance of crows as an omen of death.’ Utilizing appropriate collective nouns not only enhances the precision of language but also enriches our understanding of these animals’ social structures and behaviors.No doubt you have heard of a ‘pack of wolves’ or a ‘flock of sheep’ – most people have – but there are some really weird ones out there that I stumbled on recently.Ī ‘Murder’ of crows is verging on the unusual, one theory being that crows often will come together and ‘decide the capital fate of another crow.’ (That doesn’t sound very neighbourly!). Business: An apt term for a group of busy ferrets.Scurry: A scuttling group of squirrels.Drift or Parade: When referring to a group of pigs.
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