Wild Animals

The smallest bat in the world is so tiny it can easily fit on the tip of a human finger. Known commonly as the bumblebee bat, this remarkable animal weighs about as much as a small coin and is often compared to a large bumblebee in size.

By Nico Avelle

The smallest frog on Earth is so tiny it can sit on a dime and still leave space around its toes. Scientists studying amphibians discovered that some frogs have shrunk to extraordinarily small sizes while still functioning as complete vertebrate animals.

By Nico Avelle

The beluga, also known as the white whale, is a small Arctic cetacean famous for its bright color and unusual voice. Beluga whales live across the Arctic Ocean and nearby subarctic waters, where sea ice and cold temperatures shape their environment.

By Nico Avelle

The olm is one of the strangest amphibians on Earth. This pale cave salamander lives in permanently dark habitats beneath the limestone landscapes of southeastern Europe.

By Nico Avelle

The arctic animals that live in the far north survive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Winter temperatures plunge far below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius), sea ice drifts across the Arctic Ocean, and darkness lasts for months.

By Nico Avelle

The mountain chicken is not a bird at all. It is a critically endangered frog known formally as Leptodactylus fallax, once one of the largest frogs in the world. Today this amphibian species survives on just two islands in the Caribbean: Montserrat and Dominica.

By Nico Avelle

The ocean hides some astonishing predators, and the rare sharks on this list include some that rank among the least-seen and most-threatened species on Earth.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of robins called," you are diving into the quirky world of bird collective noun traditions.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of baboons called," you are asking a question about language and animal behavior at the same time.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of guinea pigs called," you are not alone. These chatty little cavies make so many sounds, it feels like they should have a team name.

When you ask, "What group of animals is called a business," you enter the quirky world of collective nouns.

By Nico Avelle

What is a group of jaguars called? It's one of those questions that sends people down a rabbit hole of animal group names. The short answer: There is no official collective noun for jaguars, but some sources suggest "a shadow of jaguars."

By Nico Avelle

The pattern of blue whales going silent has become a troubling in the Pacific Ocean, and scientists are paying close attention. Recordings show strong seasonal and year-to-year variation in blue whale vocalizations—including periods with lower detected calling—and scientists are concerned.

By Nico Avelle

"What is a group of shrimp called" is a common Google search, especially when people start comparing shrimp to fish, crabs, or even cats.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of coyotes called," the answer is: a pack. A group of coyotes is most commonly called a pack.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of quail called," the answer is: a covey.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of lizards called," the answer is simple and a little playful. A group of lizards is called a lounge. Yes, really—a lounge of lizards.

By Nico Avelle

If you have ever wondered, "What is a group of polar bears called," you are not alone. The short answer: A group of polar bears is called a sleuth. Yes, sleuth—like a detective on the ice.

By Nico Avelle

People often wonder, "What is a group of hawks called," when they see many birds circling high in the sky. Hawks are generally solitary birds, so the answer depends on context rather than a single catchall word.

By Nico Avelle

Koalas are iconic Australian animals, but people often pause when asked, "What is a group of koalas called?" The short answer is that there is no widely accepted official collective noun for koalas.

By Nico Avelle

Buzzards soar on rising air currents, often circling high above fields and forests. But what is a group of buzzards called? As with many birds of prey, there’s more than one term, each tied to the birds’ behavior and setting.

By Nico Avelle

Leopards are known for their stealth, power and solitary lifestyle. So what is a group of leopards called? These elusive big cats aren’t often spotted in numbers.

By Nico Avelle

The English language is full of imaginative ways to describe groups of animals. You’ve probably heard of a murder of crows or a parliament of owls. But what group of animals is called a charm?

By Nico Avelle

Crabs scuttle along the ocean floor, dig in the sand and wave their claws during territorial standoffs. But what is a group of crabs called? These quirky, armored creatures actually have more than one collective noun.

By Nico Avelle

They laugh, they hunt, they challenge lions—and they do it all in groups. But what is a group of hyenas called? The answer depends on whether you're talking to a wildlife expert or swapping animal facts with friends.

By Nico Avelle