What kind of "group" are we talking about?
* A social group: This refers to a group of animals that live together, often related, and cooperate for various reasons like hunting, raising young, or defending their territory. For example, a wolf pack or a pride of lions.
* A herd or flock: This refers to a large group of animals that travel together for safety and to facilitate migration. For example, a herd of wildebeest or a flock of geese.
* A temporary aggregation: This refers to a group of animals that come together for a specific reason, like feeding or mating, and then disperse. For example, a group of birds feeding at a bird feeder.
What kind of animal is outside of the group?
* A different species: It's highly unlikely that animals of different species would regularly travel together, especially if they aren't in a symbiotic relationship (where both species benefit).
* A lone member of the same species: This is more likely, especially if the animal is seeking companionship or is being driven by hunger or other needs.
Here are some examples:
* A lone wolf: A wolf that is not part of a pack might join another pack, especially if it's young or has been expelled from its original pack. However, it might also roam alone or form a pair with another wolf.
* A stray dog: A stray dog might join a pack of wild dogs or even a pack of coyotes, although this is less common.
* A single bird: A bird might join a flock of the same species, especially if it's migrating or looking for food.
In general, it's more common for animals of the same species to join a group if they are looking for safety, food, or companionship. However, it's important to remember that animal behavior is complex, and there are many exceptions to these general rules.