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 Zebras!
The collective noun for Zebras? A Dazzle! I think it probably takes the cake for the best animal collective noun ever.
Aren’t they just dazzling? What…?
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 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.
The collective noun for Dung Beetles? A shitload of dung beetles… not sure if I believe this one but it is pretty hilarious.
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 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.
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).
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!
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 “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.
21 Comments
jules
February 17, 2018 at 6:46 amI like a kalidescope of butterflies
Cailin
February 18, 2018 at 1:52 pmOh! That’s a great one!
Jen
February 12, 2018 at 11:22 amI 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
Cailin
February 12, 2018 at 9:47 pmOh wow, that is so awesome! :) Thanks for sharing!
Nickel
November 16, 2017 at 3:11 pmI’ve also have heard a cloud of leopard. Love that one.
Tiffany Walker
November 15, 2017 at 9:40 pmA flamboyant of flamingos
isabel
November 22, 2016 at 11:07 pmA zebra is also called a zeal and leopards are also called a prowl
Penni Dukes
November 13, 2016 at 1:23 pmI’ve heard of a parliament of owls, I love learning about new things! This is fun! Thanks
Olwen
May 14, 2016 at 5:53 pmWe have a ‘parade’ of elephants rather than a herd
Your zebra certainly dazzles!
Also interesting: a ‘murder’ of crows –
A fascinating study
Irene
September 4, 2013 at 8:39 amAdding to your animals, though not in SA
A sleuth of bears
Cailin
September 6, 2013 at 8:15 pmOh! I don’t think I knew that one! Thanks! :)
Alex Gibson
January 7, 2013 at 10:13 amWhile I am dazzled by the Zebras and I have memories of elephants, I call a committee of vultures to deliberate on the other nouns :)
Cailin
March 6, 2013 at 9:42 pmhahaha nice one ;)
@TravelEater
December 20, 2012 at 6:13 pmLove 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.
Cailin
March 6, 2013 at 9:41 pmThanks!! 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!
India
December 20, 2012 at 2:51 amwhat makes your post very interesting is Elephant :) and Dazzling Zebra is trying to give you pose! Very Nice Pictures!
Cailin
December 20, 2012 at 1:09 pmthanks!
Christy
December 19, 2012 at 8:32 pmI 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!
Cailin
December 20, 2012 at 1:10 pmhaha 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
Jennifer
December 19, 2012 at 6:45 pmHow fun! My favorite is the dazzle of zebras. And that photo of the zebra IS dazzling!
Cailin
December 20, 2012 at 1:10 pmThe Zebras are my top faves too :)