Squirrels are ubiquitous mammals found all over the world. But did you know that groups of squirrels have special names? The group nouns used to describe collections of squirrels vary by region, but they provide insight into how people perceive these common rodents. Quick answer: A group of squirrels is called a scurry, dray, or colony. But let’s dive deeper into squirrel terminology.
Scurry
One of the most common terms for a group of squirrels is a “scurry.” This whimsical name evokes the frenetic energy and quick movements of squirrels. When you see a group of squirrels darting about, climbing trees, and rummaging for food, “scurry” perfectly captures their behavior.
Some examples:
– Look at that scurry of squirrels playing in the park!
– A scurry of squirrels ran up the oak tree.
– My dog barked at the scurry of squirrels in our backyard.
“Scurry” is used in both British and American English to describe groups of various squirrel species, including tree squirrels, ground squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots. It’s a catch-all term for any gathering of squirrel-like rodents.
Dray
In some regions, a group of squirrels is called a “dray.” This unusual term is likely derived from the word “drey,” which describes the nest or den where squirrels live. A dray of squirrels may refer to the group living in a drey or sharing a territory.
For example:
– The entire dray of squirrels came out to gather nuts.
– We must have seen thirty squirrels in that dray.
– There is a huge oak tree that houses the dray.
“Dray” is most often used to describe groups of Eurasian red squirrels, but could be applied to any type of tree squirrel. In Britain and Ireland, “dray” is common terminology for squirrel groups.
Colony
Some people refer to a group of ground squirrels, like chipmunks, as a “colony.” This makes sense when you consider that some species of ground squirrels are highly social and live in burrow systems with multiple tunnel entrances. Their teamwork and cooperation in storing food and maintaining burrows resembles an insect colony, hence the name.
For instance:
– The colony of chipmunks all live in tunnels under that shed.
– We could see fifteen chipmunks or more in the colony.
– The colony gathers nuts and seeds for the winter.
While “colony” can describe ground squirrels, it is less commonly applied to tree squirrels, which are more solitary. But it highlights the complex social structures of some squirrel species.
Chattering
If squirrels are making a lot of noise, a group can be called a “chattering.” Their screeches, squeals, and chuckles inspired this descriptive name.
Here are some examples:
– The chattering of squirrels woke me up this morning.
– I heard the chattering before I saw the squirrels chasing each other.
– The chattering grew louder as more squirrels joined in.
Any species of noisy, vocal squirrel can be described as a chattering. The calls of fox squirrels and red squirrels are particularly notable. “Chattering” emphasizes the audible excitement of a squirrel gathering.
Scamper
“Scamper” is one more whimsical group noun used for active, playful squirrels. When you observe squirrels rapidly running, jumping, and climbing together, “scamper” captures their energetic movements.
For example:
– The scamper of squirrels played chase up and down the tree.
– A scamper of young squirrels frolicked in the park.
– I smiled as I watched the scamper of squirrels.
Like “scurry,” “scamper” can apply to any species engaged in frisky behavior. It highlights the endearing antics of these nimble rodents.
Swarm
While less common, “swarm” is sometimes used to describe a very large number of squirrels gathered in one place.
Here are some examples:
– There was a swarm of hundreds of squirrels on campus looking for food.
– The swarm of squirrels had completely overtaken the park.
– We were astonished by the swarm moving through the trees.
This sense of an overwhelming horde led to using “swarm” for some large squirrel gatherings, especially if their presence is considered a nuisance. It is a behavior-based term that could apply to any species.
Squirrel Terms by Species
Some squirrel group nouns are linked to specific species based on their traits and behaviors:
| Species | Group Noun |
|---|---|
| Red squirrel | Dray |
| Fox squirrel | Scurry |
| Ground squirrel | Colony |
| Chipmunk | Colony |
| Gray squirrel | Scurry |
| Flying squirrel | Scurry |
As shown, “dray” is most associated with Eurasian red squirrels, while tree squirrels like foxes and grays are described as “scurries.” Ground squirrels like chipmunks warrant the name “colony” due to their burrowing lifestyle. But there is considerable overlap, and most species can be called a “scurry.”
Conclusion
While squirrel group nouns vary, the most popular choices are “scurry,” “dray,” and “colony.” Regional dialects favor certain terms, but “scurry” is the most widely used, applicable to any gathering of squirrels. Whatever name you choose, it captures the lively, excitable nature of everyone’s favorite bushy-tailed rodent. Next time you see multiple squirrels together, try using one of these entertaining collective nouns. Their playful energy inspired these creative descriptors that make our language a little more fun.
References
[1] Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Scurry. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurry
[2] Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Dray. In Dictionary.com dictionary. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/dray
[3] Lexico. (n.d.). Colony. In Lexico.com dictionary. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/colony
[4] Collins Online Dictionary. (n.d.). Chattering. In Collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/chattering
[5] Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. (n.d.). Swarm. In Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/swarm_2
