Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari – A Group of Giraffes and more

While on Safari in South Africa with my friends Mike, Kate, JD  and David we found ourselves on the discussion of collective nouns. What is a collective noun? It is a word used to describe a collection of animals, people or things.  For animals like Lions we all knew they were called a “pride”, there’s a “murder of crows” and Elephants are a “herd”. What about the rest of the animals that you see on safari? We were quite surprised to find out a bunch more on our trip for almost every animal that we saw. I have put together my best list of the collective nouns of animals on safari below. From what is a group of giraffes called? Or a group of zebras? Hippos and more.


a dazzle of zebra

A Dazzle of Zebras!

The collective noun for Zebras? A Dazzle! I think it probably takes the cake for the best animal collective noun ever.

a dazzle of zebra on safari - the Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari Aren’t they just dazzling? What…?

a venue of vultures, kettle or committee - Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari

What is the collective noun for vultures?

A Venue of Vultures! If they are flying in the sky and circling they would be called a Kettle. Some might even call them a “committee” .

a group of giraffes are known as a tower or journey - collective nouns of animals on safari

A journey of Giraffes!

Journey is a great collective noun for giraffes for when they are on the go. You could also use the collective noun tower for Giraffes when standing still.

a shitload of dung beetles - Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari - A Group of Giraffes and more

The collective noun for Dung Beetles? A shitload of dung beetles… not sure if I believe this one but it is pretty hilarious.

a leap of leopards - Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari

What is the collective noun for Leopards?

A leap of Leopards. Not so scary sounding until you imagine them leaping on you for dinner. That makes it better.

a memory of elephants herd - Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari

A lot of us know that the collective noun for elephants is a herd. However there is another one that is not as commonly known. A memory of Elephants. I think that is quite fitting. 

a forkl of kudu - Collective Nouns of Animals on Safari

What is the collective noun for a group of kudu?

Before visiting South Africa I had never heard of Kudu. However after I saw one for the first time I learned a collective noun for them is a forkl of Kudu. Interesting… not sure what a forkl is either but I do know that Kudu taste damn delicious on the braai (South African BBQ).

a coalition of cheetahs

What is the collective noun for Cheetahs?

Cheetah’s are hard to find on safari and it’s even rarer to find a group of them together. But it can happen. A group of cheetahs is known as a “coalition”, sounds kind of top secret doesn’t it?

a crash of rhinos collective noun

A “crash” of Rhinos!

Rhinos can be gentle giants so their collective noun might not always fit their personalities. But they don’t have those spikey horns for nothing. These guys are my favourites, and their collective noun is a “Crash”. Love it!


a raft of penguins or waddle for collective noun

A “waddle” of penguins!

I didn’t see these Jackass penguins on Safari but I did see them on Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. There are several collective nouns for Penguins and my favorites are a “raft” for when they are in the water together and a “waddle” for when they are on land.

It was definitely a fun learning experience to hear these collective nouns for these beautiful African animals. One of the coolest things we heard as well is that Wildebeest are known as an “implausibility” and although we did see some it was ironically an implausibility for me to get a good photo of one!

 

UPDATE: Since first writing this post I have traveled to see a lot more beautiful animals in the wild. Because of that I have also learned a lot more collective nouns for them. Here are some more great ones to add to your vocabulary.

a wild baby mountain gorilla chews on bamboo in volcanoes national park rwanda - Trekking to see Wild Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Gorillas – band, troop or my favourite a whoop of Gorillas. (Learn more about trekking to see Gorillas here)

Sloths – a bed of sloths.

Flamingoes  – a stand, regiment or flamboyant of flamingoes.

Hyenas – a cackle of hyenas.

Pandas – A bamboo, an embarrassment or a cupboard of Pandas.

Porcupines – A prickle of porcupines.

hippos on the chobe river

Hippopotamuses – A bloat or thunder of hippos.

Lobster – A risk of lobsters! Of course I couldn’t forget my favorite crustacean.

What are some of your favorite collective nouns for animals that you have ever heard of?

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21 Comments

  • Reply
    jules
    February 17, 2018 at 6:46 am

    I like a kalidescope of butterflies

    • Reply
      Cailin
      February 18, 2018 at 1:52 pm

      Oh! That’s a great one!

  • Reply
    Jen
    February 12, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I have just informed a very knowledgeable safari guide about zebras. He had never heard of a dazzle. It felt so good to be able to extend his knowledge and,in turn improve the quality of his talk.he was already one of the best I’ve ever heard. Try Jukani out most impressive .it’s on plettemburG bay.
    Jen

    • Reply
      Cailin
      February 12, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      Oh wow, that is so awesome! :) Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Nickel
    November 16, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    I’ve also have heard a cloud of leopard. Love that one.

  • Reply
    Tiffany Walker
    November 15, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    A flamboyant of flamingos

  • Reply
    isabel
    November 22, 2016 at 11:07 pm

    A zebra is also called a zeal and leopards are also called a prowl

  • Reply
    Penni Dukes
    November 13, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    I’ve heard of a parliament of owls, I love learning about new things! This is fun! Thanks

  • Reply
    Olwen
    May 14, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    We have a ‘parade’ of elephants rather than a herd
    Your zebra certainly dazzles!
    Also interesting: a ‘murder’ of crows –
    A fascinating study

  • Reply
    Irene
    September 4, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Adding to your animals, though not in SA
    A sleuth of bears

    • Reply
      Cailin
      September 6, 2013 at 8:15 pm

      Oh! I don’t think I knew that one! Thanks! :)

  • Reply
    Alex Gibson
    January 7, 2013 at 10:13 am

    While I am dazzled by the Zebras and I have memories of elephants, I call a committee of vultures to deliberate on the other nouns :)

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 6, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      hahaha nice one ;)

  • Reply
    @TravelEater
    December 20, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Love this list, and you have great pics! I was in Namibia and South Africa a few months ago, and I kept asking for collective nouns but didn’t learn many. I’m going to rename my photos.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 6, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      Thanks!! We were so interested in learning about them, it was fun! Just the other day I learned that Polar Bears are known as a celebration!

  • Reply
    India
    December 20, 2012 at 2:51 am

    what makes your post very interesting is Elephant :) and Dazzling Zebra is trying to give you pose! Very Nice Pictures!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      December 20, 2012 at 1:09 pm

      thanks!

  • Reply
    Christy
    December 19, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I feel like the person who told you all these was messing with you. ;) Just kidding. I really hope shitload is for real though. Those penguins are adorable!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      December 20, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      haha Christy! Google it! You will see they are all true! I’m still debating the shitload one because I only found one site that said it, but its funny nonetheless haha

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    December 19, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    How fun! My favorite is the dazzle of zebras. And that photo of the zebra IS dazzling!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      December 20, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      The Zebras are my top faves too :)

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