diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index 50bfd543b..30ace4473 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 - `assign-minecarts`: reassign vehicles to routes where the vehicle has been destroyed (or has otherwise gone missing)
 - `fix/dry-buckets`: prompt DF to recheck requests for aid (e.g. "bring water" jobs) when a bucket is unclogged and becomes available for use
 - `idle-crafting`: make choice of crafting job dependent on resources in linked stockpiles.
+- `exterminate`: show descriptive names for the listed races in addition to their IDs
 
 ## Documentation
 - `gui/embark-anywhere`: add information about how the game determines world tile pathability and instructions for bridging two landmasses
diff --git a/exterminate.lua b/exterminate.lua
index 06b764eb9..0043febb9 100644
--- a/exterminate.lua
+++ b/exterminate.lua
@@ -134,10 +134,12 @@ local function getMapRaces(opts)
     local map_races = {}
     for _, unit in pairs(df.global.world.units.active) do
         if not checkUnit(opts, unit) then goto continue end
-        local unit_race_name = dfhack.units.isUndead(unit) and "UNDEAD" or df.creature_raw.find(unit.race).creature_id
+        local craw = df.creature_raw.find(unit.race)
+        local unit_race_name = dfhack.units.isUndead(unit) and 'UNDEAD' or craw.creature_id
         local race = ensure_key(map_races, unit_race_name)
         race.id = unit.race
         race.name = unit_race_name
+        race.display_name = unit_race_name == 'UNDEAD' and '' or craw.name[0]
         race.count = (race.count or 0) + 1
         ::continue::
     end
@@ -187,14 +189,20 @@ local map_races = getMapRaces(options)
 
 if not positionals[1] or positionals[1] == 'list' then
     local sorted_races = {}
-    for race, value in pairs(map_races) do
-        table.insert(sorted_races, { name = race, count = value.count })
+    local max_width = 10
+    for _,v in pairs(map_races) do
+        max_width = math.max(max_width, #v.name)
+        table.insert(sorted_races, v)
     end
     table.sort(sorted_races, function(a, b)
         return a.count > b.count
     end)
-    for _, race in ipairs(sorted_races) do
-        print(([[%4s %s]]):format(race.count, race.name))
+    for _,v in ipairs(sorted_races) do
+        local name_str = v.name
+        if name_str ~= 'UNDEAD' and v.display_name ~= string.lower(name_str):gsub('_', ' ') then
+            name_str = ('%-'..tostring(max_width)..'s  (%s)'):format(name_str, v.display_name)
+        end
+        print(('%4s %s'):format(v.count, name_str))
     end
     return
 end