A Grind of Whales
A pod of pilot whales driven ashore is called a grind, from the Faroese grindadráp.
Mammals
From prides of lions to pods of whales, discover the traditional and whimsical collective nouns for mammals.
A Shadow of Jaguars
Ever get that feeling you’re being watched? A Shadow of Jaguars might explain it. What Does “A Shadow of Jaguars” Mean? “Shadow” is one of several terms circulated for jaguars, though it’s worth being upfront: jaguars don’t have a single, universally agreed-upon collective noun the way more social cats do. “Shadow” captures the jaguar’s famously … Read more
A Litter of Ocelots
A group of ocelots is sometimes called a litter. What Does “A Litter of Ocelots” Mean? “Litter” for ocelots mostly describes what actually happens: a mother and her kittens, rather than any real adult gathering. Ocelots are small, solitary wild cats found from South Texas down through Central and South America, and adults spend the … Read more
A Chain of Caracals
A group of caracals is sometimes called a chain. What Does “A Chain of Caracals” Mean? “Chain” turns up on collective-noun lists for caracals, medium-sized wild cats known for their tufted black ears and remarkable vertical leaping ability, though like most wildcat terms, it describes a rare occurrence rather than typical behavior. Caracals range across … Read more