Sharks are often pictured as solitary hunters, but some species gather in large numbers to feed, mate or migrate. When several sharks appear together, the name for the group depends partly on whether or not you’re describing the animals‘ behavior. One collective noun is especially memorable, though its use is more about language than a scientific classification. Read on to find out what a group of sharks is called and when they actually swim in groups.Related: 60 Interesting Ocean Facts That’ll Either Terrify You or Amaze You
What Is a Group of Sharks Called?
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A group of sharks is commonly called a shiver. The phrase “a shiver of sharks” appears in popular lists of animal collective nouns, although it isn’t a scientific term. You may also see “school” or “shoal,” general words used for groups of fish and other aquatic animals.For scientists, “aggregation” is often a more useful description of sharks gathering in one place. It doesn’t imply that the animals swim together in a coordinated formation or maintain a lasting social group. SharkSider notes that researchers tend to use terms such as “school” and “aggregation” according to the animals’ behavior, while “shiver” is the popular collective noun.Related: Be Warned! These 50 Weird Animals Are Really Unusual and Strange Creatures
Why Is a Group of Sharks Called a Shiver?
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The origin of “shiver” as a shark collective noun is uncertain. The word commonly refers to trembling, especially from cold or fear, which makes it a memorable fit for an animal that has long inspired fear in popular culture. However, there is no well-established evidence that the term was coined for a specific biological reason.
Merriam-Webster‘s entry for “shiver” covers the word’s ordinary meanings, including trembling, but does not give a shark-related definition.
Do Sharks Actually Swim in Groups?
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Some do, but many shark species are largely solitary. Groups can form around feeding opportunities, mating or migration, and the behavior varies by species.
For example, NOAA Fisheries reports that researchers have documented aggregations of basking sharks ranging from about 30 to nearly 1,400 animals off the northeastern United States. Scientists have considered feeding and courtship among the possible reasons for these gatherings, although the exact causes are not always clear.Related: What Do You Call a Group of Otters?
Is It a School or a Shiver of Sharks?
Both expressions are used, but they serve different purposes. “Shiver” is the familiar collective noun found in popular animal-name lists. “School” is a broader term for fish swimming together, while scientists may use “aggregation” when sharks gather in one area without necessarily moving in a coordinated formation.
In scientific writing, “aggregation” is often the more precise word when the behavior being described doesn’t clearly involve schooling.
You can use “a shiver of sharks” when discussing collective nouns, but “a group of sharks” is also perfectly clear in everyday writing.
Can a Group of Sharks Be Called a Frenzy?
A group of sharks isn’t generally called a frenzy, but the word is associated with sharks feeding together. As SharkSider explains, a “feeding frenzy” describes intense feeding activity when multiple sharks converge on a food source. The term describes their behavior rather than serving as a collective noun for the animals.
What Is a Group of Great White Sharks Called?
A group of great white sharks can be called a shiver, the popular collective noun for sharks in general. They may also be described as a school or, more broadly, an aggregation.
Related: What Do You Call a Group of Dolphins?
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