From social butterflies to solitary scavengers, virtually all animals gather into groups at some point in their lives. Safety in numbers is one reason for this, since a pack of prey is less vulnerable to attack by predators, but many animals also rely on collective wisdom to help them make better decisions. Some even blur the line between individual and group, while others limit their social time to mating season.

Whatever draws them together, something odd happens when creatures form crowds: They suddenly have bizarre, often silly names. These group nouns are rarely used, even by scientists, but they nonetheless represent our own species’ collective creativity for linguistics—not to mention our deep-rooted affinity for nature.

Taking the time to name a “richness of martens” or a “murmuration of starlings,” for example, suggests a basic lack of contempt for the wildlife in question. Even our more derogatory labels, like an “obstinacy of buffalo” or an “unkindness of ravens,” reveal a certain respect for the nonhuman neighbors that share our environment.

Without further ado, here are 99 of the strangest collective names for animals:

Mammals and Marsupials

  • Apes: a shrewdnessBadgers: a ceteBats: a cauldronBears: a sloth or sleuthBuffalo: a gang or obstinacyCats: a clowder, pounce or glaring; for kittens: a kindle, litter or intrigueDogs: a litter (puppies), pack (wild) or cowardice (curs)Donkeys: a paceElephants: a paradeElk: a gangFerrets: a businessFox: a leash, skulk or earthGiraffes: a towerGoats: a tribe or tripGorillas: a bandHippopotamuses: a bloat or thunderHyenas: a cackleJaguars: a shadowKangaroos: a troop or mobLemurs: a conspiracyLeopards: a leapLions: a pride or sawtMartens: a richnessMoles: a laborMonkeys: a troop or barrelMules: a pack, span or barrenOtters: a rompPigs: a drift, drove, sounder, team or passelPorcupines: a pricklePorpoises: a pod, school, herd or turmoilRabbits: a colony, warren, nest, down, husk or herd (domestic only)Rhinoceroses: a crashSquirrels: a dray or scurryTigers: an ambush or streakWhales: a pod, gam or herdWolves: a pack, rout or route (when in movement)

Birds

  • Bitterns: a sedgeBuzzards: a wakeBobolinks: a chainCoots: a coverCormorants: a gulpCrows: a murder or hordeDotterel: a tripDoves: a dule or pitying (specific to turtle doves)Ducks: a brace, team, flock (in flight), raft (on water), paddling or badlingEagles: a convocationFinches: a charmFlamingos: a standGeese: a flock, gaggle (on the ground) or skein (in flight)Grouse: a pack (in late season)Hawks: a cast, kettle (in flight) or boil (two or more spiraling in air)Herons: a sedge or siegeJays: a party or scoldLapwings: a deceitLarks: an exaltationMallards: a sord (in flight) or braceMagpies: a tiding, gulp, murder or charmNightingales: a watchOwls: a parliamentParrots: a pandemonium or companyPartridge: a coveyPeafowl: an ostentation or musterPenguins: a colony, muster, parcel or rookeryPheasant: a nest, nide (a brood), nye or bouquetPlovers: a congregation or wing (in flight)Ptarmigans: a coveyRooks: a buildingQuail: a bevy or coveyRavens: an unkindnessSnipe: a walk or wispSparrows: a hostStarlings: a murmurationStorks: a musteringSwans: a bevy, game or wedge (in flight)Teal: a springTurkeys: a rafter or gangWoodcocks: a fallWoodpeckers: a descent

Reptiles and Amphibians

  • Cobras: a quiverCrocodiles: a baskFrogs: an armyToads: a knotTurtles: a bale or nestSalamanders: a maelstromSnakes, vipers: a nest

Fish

  • Fish in general: a draft, nest, run, school or shoalHerring: an armySharks: a shiverTrout: a hover

Invertebrates

  • Bees: a grist, hive or swarmCaterpillars: an armyClams: a bedCrabs: a consortiumCockroaches: an intrusionFlies: a businessGrasshoppers: a cloudJellyfish: a bloom, fluther or smackLobsters: a riskOysters: a bedSnails: a hoodSquid: an audience

[Via U.S. Geological Survey]