A literal “bloat” of hippos on the Serengeti: These giants prove that sometimes, the collective noun fits the subject perfectly!
Is it a Bloat or a Crash?
Yes, you read that right. A group of hippopotamuses is most commonly called a “bloat.” You might also hear them referred to as a “crash,” though many safari enthusiasts prefer to save the “crash” label specifically for a group of rhinos. Whether they are wallowing in a river or lounging on a bank, these “bloats” are a staple sight on any East Africa safari.
The 15th-Century Origins of “Beestys and Fowlys”
For the curious: many of our modern English terms for animal collectives date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the most influential works in this regard is the Book of St. Albans, published in 1486.
This medieval treasure included a famous list of “the compaynys of beestys and fowlys.” The book was immensely popular in its day, likely serving as a “cheat sheet” for gentlemen-hunters. It offered the perfect language tidbits to drop while telling “storyes” at dinner “partyes”—ensuring every hunter knew exactly which proper word to use for the animals they encountered.
Seeing the "Bloat" in Person
There is nothing quite like hearing the deep, rhythmic grunting of a hippo bloat echoing across the water at sunset. It’s a sound—and a word—you won’t soon forget!