This article is devoted to substantiating the significance of terminological competence in professional activity and communication, the need to master terminological competence as the most important indicator of professionalism and a factor in improving the professional communication quality. In addition, the article analyzes English professional vocabulary, in particular jargon associated with the use of animal names, provides examples of the most difficult to translate and perceive vocabulary, namely zoonyms used in the oil and gas industry. Moreover, the article contains a large number of examples from modern literary sources.