Cats have captured the fascination and affection of humans for thousands of years. Their independent spirits, playful antics, and ability to coexist as both predator and pet continue to intrigue us. When we see these solitary creatures gather together, forming their own complex social structures, it piques our curiosity even more. But what do we call a group of cats when they assemble? Welcome to the mysterious world of the clowder. In this article we talk about What Is A Group Of Cats Called A Journey Into The Clowder Of Cats.
A Lone Cat is a Happy Cat…Or Is It?
The common house cat is known scientifically as Felis catus. And as that Latin name suggests, your average domestic tabby is historically accustomed to a life of independence. Wild cats are solitary creatures by nature, coming together only briefly for mating purposes before going their separate ways again. So when we bring cats into our homes as pets, we often assume they prefer to be left alone.
But is that really true? Or deep down do our furry companions crave companionship as much as humans do? Fascinating new research suggests cats form tighter social bonds than previously thought. And some experts argue life in a multi-cat household may even be healthier for them mentally and physically.
The more scientists study cat behavior, the more obvious it becomes—cats are far more social than their reputation gives them credit for. Those chance run-ins between neighborhood cats in your backyard are rarely accidental. Behind the scenes, intricate relationships and complex cat dynamics are at play.
When Cats Congregate: Solitary No More
In the wild, a group of cats is called a “clowder.” This poetic term dates all the way back to the late 1400s when Middle English speakers referred to a group of cats as a “clutter.” Over centuries of use, it gradually transitioned into the more playful-sounding “clowder” we use today.
A clowder forms when a collection of solitary cats, whether related or not, assemble together in one location. But a clowder is not merely a random bunch of cats in close proximity. It’s a complex social structure. Within a clowder, cats form loose connections varying in depth and intimacy.
Think of a clowder as a dynamic, fluid social network rather than a tightly-knit family unit. Cats come and go freely within these groups. But they also forge bonds with preferred companions they interact with regularly. In essence, a clowder is like a local cat community made up of friends, acquaintances, and strangers—much like any human neighborhood.
Why Do Cats Form Clowders?
In the wild, most clowders arise around a food source like a dumpster behind a restaurant or a farm with rodent problems. But even well-fed domestic cats will gather together when living in close quarters.
So why are solitary cats suddenly inclined to mingle? There are likely several motivating factors:
1. Safety in numbers – Cats feel more secure resting or feeding together since danger can be detected quicker in a group.
2. Shared body heat – When cats curl up to sleep touching one another, it conserves body heat.
3. Colony comfort – Being part of a group satisfies cats’ underrated need for companionship and social bonding.
4. Information exchange – Cats learn about territory boundaries, feeding grounds, rivals, etc. via chemical cues when interacting in a group.
5. Maternal ties – Female cats and their offspring will remain loosely bonded even after kittens reach maturity.
The Complex Social Web Within a Clowder
Now that you know why cats form clowders, let’s look closer at how these assemblages organize and interact. Within a clowder, there is a diverse mix of relationships ranging from intimate family ties to wary acquaintance.
Research shows the strongest bonds exist between mothers and kittens as well as littermates. These close kin regularly sleep curled up together, groom one another, and even nurse kittens from different litters (milk bandit style!)
Adult males generally roam more widely than females, but will return periodically to check in with their mother, sisters, aunts, and grown female offspring. These loose familial networks help form the foundation of any clowder.
Unrelated males who meet while patrolling territory form more casual “friendships” and will hang out, though they remain aloof compared to family. There are also wary truces between hostile rivals who have sorted out turf disputes. And finally, total strangers will mingle on neutral ground with proper introductions.
The Key to Harmony: Cat Etiquette in a Clowder
With such a diversity of relationships overlapping within a single clowder, conflict is always a risk. But cats have a complex etiquette system governing their social interactions to maintain relative peace. Let’s take a look at some key elements of proper cat manners:
Greeting rituals – Cats avoid aggressive confrontations by announcing their presence through facial rubbing, tail lifts, and blinking rather than sudden eye contact.
Personal space rules – Cats show submission by looking away when approached and only initiate physical touch like grooming when given clear permission.
Non-threatening posture – Ears forward and fur flat while relaxing or sitting upright signals friendly intentions vs aggressive crouching.
Vocal tones – Non-threatening meows, chirps and purrs contrast aggressive yowling, growling or hissing.
Scent messages – Facial and body rubbing spreads pheromones signaling identity, status, territory ownership and breeding condition.
Body language cues – Relaxed eyes, moderately upright tail, normal pupil size indicate calm mood vs aggressive wide-eyed stare and lashing tail.
By following this etiquette code, most cats manage to cooperate within a clowder fairly smoothly most of the time. But the social web of a clowder remains constantly fluctuating as cats come and go while negotiating their own space.
Not All Cat Gatherings Are Clowders: Other Group Names
We most often apply the term “clowder” to groups of domestic cats in home settings. But when referring to wild cat groupings, more specific labels are used depending on species as well as context:
Pride – A family group of wild lions including several related females, their cubs and a few male partners.
Destruction – Less formal name for a chaotic group of wild cats wreaking havoc. Also applies to playful kittens.
Glaring – A term for a group of cats staring intensely at the same thing with great focus.
Clutter – A classic alternative for a general group of wild or feral cats.
Kindle – Another word used historically for a group of kittens or wild cats born together.
So a clowder refers strictly to a gathering of random domestic cats in close quarters forming casual social bonds. Prides describe matriarchal families of lions. Glarings depict focused gawking. And you’d only use “destruction” for kittens at play or bands of trouble-making strays!
Not members of a synchronized swim team. Just a random gathering of domestic cats doing their own thing while tolerating one another. That’s the essence of a laidback, loosely organized clowder!
Clowders Reveal Cats Aren’t True Loners After All
When you observe a hodgepodge clowder of cats coexisting in an alley or your own living room, keep in mind what you’re really seeing. This seemingly random assembly of cats is actually a complex web of social dynamics at work. Subtle bonds being forged, territorial rights being respected, social status being conveyed, and cat etiquette being actively practiced.
Next time you watch your house cats gather at the food bowl, hang out on the porch together, or curl up for a group nap, recognize it for what it is – a mini clowder. This reveals cats do seek companionship, though on their own aloof terms. They want both social bonding and personal space.
So although they demand independence and alone time, domestic cats are not quite the stark solitary creatures we once presumed them to be. Their clowders tell a different tale – of flexible relationships, situational tolerance, and begrudging yet genuine affection among their own kind. A lone cat might still be a happy cat, but a cat among friendly clowder companions may be an even happier cat! I sincerely hope you find this “What Is A Group Of Cats Called A Journey Into The Clowder Of Cats” article helpful.