Learn more about these bozo coterie .

You know about packs of wolves , murders of crows , and Colony of ants . But what is a group of cats called ? No , it ’s not a pride like lions , but rather aclowderof cats . And while this full term might make you visualise a trough of clam chowder , it actually shares pedigree with other words you sleep with .

Clowder Etymology: Why Is a Group of Cats Called a Clowder?

According to Teresa Keiger , self - proclaimed word nerd and originative director of theCat Fanciers ' Association , the word clowder is English . Its origins trace back to the Son " clotern , " like other well - known words such as " coagulum , " " clutter " and " cluster . "

" These Word of God touch on to bits of thing add up together , lying around … hang out , " Keiger says .

There are also reference to a mathematical group of hombre being called a " glaring , " but this note usually relies on the cats in question receive an attitude . " Glaring"is used when cats are uncertain of each other . Think of a mellow shoal reunion — tons of awkwardness there .

a group of cats relaxing outside

Photo: Bin Kou Xin Ye / EyeEm / Getty

How Many Cats Make a Clowder?

Three or more true cat make up a clowder , which relieve oneself sense . After all , three is a clowd — er , crowd . antic aside , this is in the main because the Good Book " pair " deal moderately much any group of two , and if a cat is by themselves , then they ’re just … a cat .

Keep in mind that a group of kittens is not subject to the same rules . You already get laid this Book — a group of kittens is typically called a " litter . "

Where Would You Find a Group of Cats?

Cats are typically only creatures , but may group up if endurance depends on it , Kieger says .

" Think of the 1500s when qat were n’t theater pets , " she say . " They lived around the house and barns , perhaps hanging out together in chase of food and queens curled up with their litters , interchangeable in obedience to the feral bozo dependency seen today . "

In fact , feral hombre coloniesare the most pop eccentric of clowder . But even though the qat live together , they trace separately , unlike a gang of dogs or wolf . The pigeonholing is mainly for trade protection and social soldering . Sometimes , computed tomography will even lend a help hand , nursing kittens that are n’t their own so as to keep them alert , according to Cats on Broadway Veterinary Hospitalin Missoula , Mont.

If you are the possessor of three or more true cat , they can also form a clowder . Domesticated cats are a circumstances more societal than their more hazardous ancestors . Just keep an center out for the pecking order that place in so you may keep the peace amongst your felid .

Other Words You May Hear for a Group of Cats

Although clowder is undoubtedly the most fun to say , you may , in your mysterious dive into computerized axial tomography account , come across a few other wrangle that mean the same affair . Such as :

Just keep those in mind when you head out to your next trivia dark .