Just for Fun!
Collective Nouns for animal groups are so charming (like hummingbirds) and unexpected. Although there are some that are not agreed upon (is a group of zebras a a dazzle, a zeal or something else?) there are many standard words - some you probably know but hopefully there are some new and interesting words here to celebrate animal families and groups.
What would you call this? A group of both rays and sharks? Perhaps a shivering fever?
Obviously, a group of owls, the bird associated with wisdom is a parliament!
A Flamboyance of Flamingos just makes sense - bright pink and easy to spot.
A Tower of giraffes seems too easy, since they are the tallest land animal.
I have never had the pleasure of seeing a murmuration of starlings, but I certainly hope to, someday!
I have had the delight of seeing a smack of jellyfish, a shiver of sharks and a fever of rays.
Of course, in our neighborhood, we regularly see a scurry of squirrels, a walk of snails, a bevy of doves, and occasionally an army of ants. I rarely get to see a sparkle of fireflies, or a gaze of raccoons, but that's because I am not a night owl!
I wonder, for animals such as cassowaries or tiger salamanders even care that when grouped together they would be a shock or malestrom?
A business of ferrets seems like a conspiracy, but wait, a conspiracy is in fact a group of lemurs (What happens if lemurs and ferrets get together? Is it a business conspiracy?!?!?)
Of course, a group of starfish form an asteroid or galaxy, a group of butterflies is a kaleidoscope and ladybugs together make a loveliness.
What, I wonder do animals call a group of humans? I hope when they see a tribe, family, pack or group that they think of us as friends, peacekeepers and caregivers. Let's take care of all the herds, flocks and pods together!
What a fun topic! I love that when ferrets and lemurs get together it's a business conspiracy!!!! How funny 😂. I also found a "smack" of jellyfish to be a really interesting name, and "loveliness" of ladybugs is really sweet. I wonder who comes up with these names....it seems to me that poets must be involved somehow! And last but not least, starling murmurations are quite amazing; I would love to see one sometime!!! Thank you for this enjoyable and thought provoking post. Here's an interesting question: why do we call a group of plants a "garden"?