A group of bats is most commonly called a colony
. This term refers to bats living together in a shared space, such as a cave, tree, or building, for protection, warmth, and social interaction
. Other collective nouns for groups of bats include:
- Cloud (often used when bats are seen flying together)
- Flock (used to describe bats flying in formation)
- Camp
- Swarm
- Cauldron
- Cluster
- Roost (specifically refers to their resting place)
While "colony" is the most widely accepted and used term, these other names may be used in specific contexts or to describe particular behaviors, such as bats in flight or at rest
