This list includes 85 Animals that start with C, from “Caiman” to “Cuttlefish”. They range from tropical reptiles and coastal fishes to birds, mammals, and invertebrates across global habitats. Use this guide for quick study, classroom reference, or general wildlife exploration.
Animals that start with C are species whose common English names begin with the letter C. Many, like the caiman, hold cultural importance in indigenous myths or serve as flagship species for conservation.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Description, and Conservation status.
Common name: The widely used English name helps you quickly identify species and match them to everyday references.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise identity so you can find authoritative information and avoid confusion.
Habitat: A concise biome and region description shows where the species lives and where you can observe it.
Description: A brief one to two sentence summary highlights key traits, behavior, or appearance for quick understanding.
Conservation status: A short tag indicates extinction risk so you can assess urgency and conservation priority.
Animals that start with C
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Conservation status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capybara | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris | Wetlands and forests — South America | Least Concern |
| Camel | Camelus dromedarius | Deserts and arid lands — Middle East and North Africa | Not Evaluated |
| Cheetah | Acinonyx jubatus | Savannas and grasslands — Africa and Iran | Vulnerable |
| Chimpanzee | Pan troglodytes | Tropical rainforests and savannas — Central and West Africa | Endangered |
| Coyote | Canis latrans | Forests, plains, and urban areas — North America | Least Concern |
| Cougar | Puma concolor | Mountains, forests, and deserts — The Americas | Least Concern |
| Cow | Bos taurus | Domesticated farms and ranches — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | Woodlands, gardens, and shrublands — North America | Least Concern |
| Cassowary | Casuarius casuarius | Tropical rainforests — New Guinea and Australia | Least Concern |
| Caterpillar | Lepidoptera larva | Various terrestrial habitats — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Caiman | Caiman crocodilus | Rivers, swamps, and wetlands — Central and South America | Least Concern |
| Chameleon | Chamaeleonidae family | Rainforests, savannas, and deserts — Africa, Asia, Europe | Varies by species |
| Cobra | Ophiophagus hannah | Rainforests and plains — South and Southeast Asia | Vulnerable |
| Clownfish | Amphiprioninae subfamily | Coral reefs — Indo-Pacific Ocean | Varies by species |
| Cod | Gadus morhua | Cold deep sea waters — North Atlantic Ocean | Vulnerable |
| Crab | Brachyura infraorder | Oceans, freshwater, and land — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Crane | Antigone canadensis | Wetlands and prairies — North America and Siberia | Least Concern |
| Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Open woodlands and urban areas — North America | Least Concern |
| Cuttlefish | Sepiida order | Coastal marine waters — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Capuchin Monkey | Cebus capucinus | Tropical rainforests — Central and South America | Least Concern |
| Caracal | Caracal caracal | Savannas and arid woodlands — Africa and Middle East | Least Concern |
| Chinchilla | Chinchilla lanigera | Arid rocky mountains — Andes in South America | Endangered |
| Civet | Viverridae family | Forests and savannas — Asia and Africa | Varies by species |
| Coati | Nasua nasua | Forests and grasslands — South America | Least Concern |
| Cockatoo | Cacatuidae family | Forests and woodlands — Australasia | Varies by species |
| Condor | Vultur gryphus | Andean mountains and coasts — South America | Vulnerable |
| Cormorant | Phalacrocoracidae family | Coastlines and inland waters — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Cuckoo | Cuculidae family | Woodlands and forests — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Crocodile | Crocodylus niloticus | Rivers, lakes, and marshes — Africa | Least Concern |
| Copperhead | Agkistrodon contortrix | Forests and rocky areas — Eastern North America | Least Concern |
| Coral Snake | Micrurus fulvius | Woodlands and sandy soils — Southeastern United States | Least Concern |
| Catfish | Siluriformes order | Freshwater rivers and lakes — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Coelacanth | Latimeria chalumnae | Deep sea volcanic caves — Western Indian Ocean | Critically Endangered |
| Cricket | Gryllidae family | Grasslands and forests — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Centipede | Chilopoda class | Moist terrestrial habitats — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Coral | Anthozoa class | Tropical and subtropical oceans — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Clam | Bivalvia class | Saltwater and freshwater sediments — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Cockroach | Blattodea order | Diverse, often urban habitats — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Chicken | Gallus gallus domesticus | Domesticated farms — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Canary | Serinus canaria domestica | Domesticated cages and aviaries — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Chinstrap Penguin | Pygoscelis antarcticus | Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands — Antarctica | Least Concern |
| Caribou | Rangifer tarandus | Arctic tundra and boreal forests — Northern Hemisphere | Vulnerable |
| California Sea Lion | Zalophus californianus | Coastal waters and rocky shores — Pacific North America | Least Concern |
| Chipmunk | Tamias genus | Forests and woodlands — North America and Asia | Varies by species |
| Crown-of-Thorns Starfish | Acanthaster planci | Coral reefs — Indo-Pacific | Least Concern |
| Conch | Strombidae family | Tropical seagrass beds and sand flats — Caribbean Sea | Varies by species |
| Crayfish | Astacoidea and Parastacoidea superfamilies | Freshwater streams and lakes — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Cicada | Cicadoidea superfamily | Temperate and tropical forests — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Camel Spider | Solifugae order | Deserts and arid scrublands — Middle East and Americas | Not Evaluated |
| Cane Toad | Rhinella marina | Forests, wetlands, and urban areas — Americas, Australia | Least Concern |
| Collared Peccary | Pecari tajacu | Deserts, forests, and grasslands — The Americas | Least Concern |
| Common Loon | Gavia immer | Northern lakes and coastal waters — North America | Least Concern |
| Curlew | Numenius genus | Coastal mudflats and grasslands — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Grasslands, wetlands, and farms — Worldwide | Least Concern |
| Corn Snake | Pantherophis guttatus | Woodlands and overgrown fields — Southeastern United States | Least Concern |
| Cottonmouth | Agkistrodon piscivorus | Swamps, streams, and wetlands — Southeastern United States | Least Concern |
| Carp | Cyprinidae family | Freshwater rivers and lakes — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Clown Triggerfish | Balistoides conspicillum | Tropical coral reefs — Indo-Pacific Ocean | Least Concern |
| Cleaner Wrasse | Labroides dimidiatus | Coral reefs — Indo-Pacific Ocean | Least Concern |
| Cone Snail | Conidae family | Tropical marine waters — Worldwide | Varies by species |
| Crab-eating Macaque | Macaca fascicularis | Coastal forests and mangroves — Southeast Asia | Endangered |
| Crested Gecko | Correlophus ciliatus | Rainforests — New Caledonia | Vulnerable |
| Cuscus | Phalangeridae family | Tropical rainforests — New Guinea and Australia | Varies by species |
| Clouded Leopard | Neofelis nebulosa | Tropical rainforests — Southeast Asia and Himalayas | Vulnerable |
| Cavy | Cavia genus | Grasslands and rocky areas — South America | Varies by species |
| Caiman Lizard | Dracaena guianensis | Swamps and flooded forests — South America | Least Concern |
| Crowned Crane | Balearica regulorum | Savannas and wetlands — Eastern and Southern Africa | Endangered |
| Chital | Axis axis | Forests and grasslands — Indian subcontinent | Least Concern |
| Coquerel’s Sifaka | Propithecus coquereli | Dry deciduous forests — Madagascar | Critically Endangered |
| Common Octopus | Octopus vulgaris | Coastal waters and reefs — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Copepod | Copepoda subclass | Marine and freshwater habitats — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Cat | Felis catus | Domesticated homes and feral colonies — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Chihuahua | Canis lupus familiaris | Domesticated breed — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Clydesdale | Equus caballus | Domesticated breed — Worldwide | Not Evaluated |
| Common Dolphin | Delphinus delphis | Temperate and tropical oceans — Worldwide | Least Concern |
| Cichlid | Cichlidae family | Freshwater lakes and rivers — Africa and The Americas | Varies by species |
| Chuckwalla | Sauromalus ater | Desert rock formations — Southwestern US and Mexico | Least Concern |
| Chambered Nautilus | Nautilus pompilius | Deep sea slopes of coral reefs — Indo-Pacific | Not Evaluated |
| Cottontail Rabbit | Sylvilagus genus | Woodlands, grasslands, and deserts — The Americas | Varies by species |
| Common Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | Farmland, heath, and urban areas — Europe, Asia, Africa | Least Concern |
| Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | Lakes, parks, and agricultural fields — North America | Least Concern |
| Crested Caracara | Caracara plancus | Open and semi-open country — The Americas | Least Concern |
| Crowned Pigeon | Goura genus | Lowland rainforests — New Guinea | Varies by species |
| Cockatiel | Nymphicus hollandicus | Scrublands and bushlands — Australia | Least Concern |
| Common Toad | Bufo bufo | Woodlands, fields, and gardens — Europe and Asia | Least Concern |
Descriptions
Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, known for its sociable and calm demeanor, often seen relaxing peacefully with other animals.
Camel
Famous for its single hump, which stores fat, not water, allowing it to survive long periods in the desert.
Cheetah
The fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching incredible speeds over short distances to hunt its prey.
Chimpanzee
One of our closest living relatives, known for its high intelligence, complex social structures, and ability to use tools.
Coyote
A highly adaptable canid known for its distinctive howl, thriving in a wide range of environments, including cities.
Cougar
A large, solitary cat also known as a mountain lion or puma, with a powerful, muscular body built for ambushing prey.
Cow
A domesticated bovine widely raised for its milk, meat, and as a draft animal in many cultures throughout history.
Cardinal
A vibrant songbird instantly recognizable by the male’s brilliant crimson plumage and pointed crest.
Cassowary
A large, flightless bird with a distinctive bony casque on its head and powerful legs armed with a dagger-like claw.
Caterpillar
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth, dedicated to eating and growing before undergoing its amazing metamorphosis.
Caiman
A crocodilian closely related to alligators, often smaller in size, that is a common predator in freshwater habitats.
Chameleon
A specialized lizard famous for its ability to change color, its long, sticky tongue, and independently moving eyes.
Cobra
The King Cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake, known for its intimidating hood and a diet of other snakes.
Clownfish
A small, brightly colored marine fish famous for its symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, which provide it with protection.
Cod
A historically important commercial fish, known for its mild flavor and flaky white flesh, now threatened by overfishing.
Crab
A decapod crustacean characterized by a thick exoskeleton, a single pair of powerful claws, and a distinctive sideways walk.
Crane
A large, long-legged bird known for its loud, rattling calls and the elaborate “dancing” displays performed during courtship.
Crow
A highly intelligent black bird known for its problem-solving abilities, complex social interactions, and familiar “caw” call.
Cuttlefish
A marine mollusc related to squids, renowned for its large brain and remarkable ability to change skin color and texture instantly.
Capuchin Monkey
A clever and social New World monkey, recognized for its intelligence and frequent use of tools to obtain food.
Caracal
A medium-sized wild cat distinguished by its long, black tufted ears, which help it to detect prey with precision.
Chinchilla
A small rodent prized for its incredibly soft, dense fur, which unfortunately led to its severe decline in the wild.
Civet
A slender, mostly nocturnal mammal known for producing a musky secretion, though synthetic versions are now used in perfumes.
Coati
A member of the raccoon family with a long, flexible snout for foraging and a ringed tail it often holds erect.
Cockatoo
A type of parrot characterized by a prominent crest and curved bill, known for its loud calls and highly social behavior.
Condor
One of the world’s largest flying birds, this massive vulture has an impressive wingspan and soars effortlessly on thermal currents.
Cormorant
A coastal seabird skilled at diving to catch fish, often seen standing with its wings spread out to dry in the sun.
Cuckoo
Famous for its distinctive call and its practice of brood parasitism, laying its eggs in the nests of other unsuspecting birds.
Crocodile
A large, powerful reptile and apex predator, the Nile Crocodile is known for its incredible bite force and ambush hunting style.
Copperhead
A venomous pit viper named for its coppery-red head, which relies on its excellent camouflage to ambush its prey.
Coral Snake
A brightly colored, venomous snake known for its red, yellow, and black bands and secretive, burrowing habits.
Catfish
A diverse group of fish named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat’s whiskers and are used for sensing food.
Coelacanth
A “living fossil,” this ancient fish was thought to be extinct for millions of years until it was rediscovered in 1938.
Cricket
An insect known for the chirping sound produced by males rubbing their wings together to attract mates and defend territory.
Centipede
A fast-moving, predatory arthropod with one pair of legs per body segment and a venomous bite to subdue prey.
Coral
Marine invertebrates that form vast colonies of polyps, creating the complex, diverse ecosystems known as coral reefs.
Clam
A bivalve mollusc with two shells hinged together, which burrows into sand or mud and filter-feeds on tiny plankton.
Cockroach
A highly resilient insect, with some species considered pests due to their remarkable adaptation to human environments.
Chicken
The most common bird in the world, domesticated for its eggs and meat, with thousands of different and unique breeds.
Canary
A small songbird originally from the Canary Islands, selectively bred for its beautiful singing voice and varied colors.
Chinstrap Penguin
Named for the narrow black band under its head that resembles a helmet strap, this is a very abundant penguin species.
Caribou
Also known as reindeer, this deer species is famous for its large-scale annual migrations across vast northern landscapes.
California Sea Lion
A highly intelligent and social marine mammal, often heard barking loudly in crowded coastal rookeries.
Chipmunk
A small, striped rodent known for its characteristic cheek pouches, which it uses to carry food back to its burrow.
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
A large, venomous sea star covered in spines that preys on coral polyps, sometimes causing widespread reef damage.
Conch
A large sea snail known for its beautiful, spiraled shell, which is an icon of tropical beaches worldwide.
Crayfish
A freshwater crustacean resembling a small lobster, also known as a crawdad, that plays a key role in aquatic ecosystems.
Cicada
An insect famous for its loud, buzzing song and the long life cycles of periodical species that emerge every 13 or 17 years.
Camel Spider
A fast-moving arachnid that is neither a spider nor a scorpion, known for its powerful jaws and preference for shade.
Cane Toad
A large, terrestrial toad with toxic skin glands, which has become a notorious invasive species in many countries.
Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal, also known as a javelina, that travels in social groups and has a distinct band of white fur around its neck.
Common Loon
A diving bird with a haunting, yodeling call, striking black-and-white breeding plumage, and piercing red eyes.
Curlew
A long-legged wading bird characterized by its very long, slender, down-curved bill used for probing deep into mud for food.
Cattle Egret
A small white heron that often associates with cattle, feeding on insects stirred up by the grazing animals.
Corn Snake
A non-venomous constrictor snake, popular in the pet trade due to its docile nature and beautiful color patterns.
Cottonmouth
A venomous pit viper, also known as a water moccasin, that often gapes its bright white mouth when threatened.
Carp
A large family of freshwater fish, including many species that are farmed for food or, like koi, kept for ornamental purposes.
Clown Triggerfish
A strikingly patterned marine fish with large white spots on its lower body and a reticulated pattern on its back.
Cleaner Wrasse
A small fish that runs “cleaning stations,” where larger fish gather to have parasites and dead skin safely removed.
Cone Snail
A predatory sea snail that uses a venomous, harpoon-like tooth to paralyze and capture its prey, including fish.
Crab-eating Macaque
A highly adaptable monkey, often found near water, with a diverse diet that includes fruits and invertebrates like crabs.
Crested Gecko
A small gecko, once thought extinct, known for the eyelash-like projections over its eyes and its useful prehensile tail.
Cuscus
A nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial with a prehensile tail, thick fur, and large eyes for navigating in the dark.
Clouded Leopard
A secretive wild cat with a stunning coat pattern and exceptionally long canine teeth relative to its body size.
Cavy
A genus of rodents native to South America that includes the wild ancestor of the domesticated guinea pig.
Caiman Lizard
A large, semi-aquatic lizard with powerful jaws that are specially adapted for crushing the shells of snails.
Crowned Crane
A graceful bird known for its stiff, golden crest of feathers, elaborate courtship dances, and loud, booming calls.
Chital
A species of deer, also known as the axis or spotted deer, famous for its reddish-brown coat with white spots.
Coquerel’s Sifaka
A striking lemur known for its unique method of “dancing” sideways on the ground when it travels between trees.
Common Octopus
A highly intelligent mollusc with eight arms, capable of instant camouflage, problem-solving, and escaping predators.
Copepod
Tiny, abundant crustaceans that form a major part of the zooplankton, serving as a vital food source in aquatic food webs.
Cat
A small, carnivorous mammal domesticated for companionship and pest control, known for its agility, purring, and grace.
Chihuahua
The smallest dog breed, named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, known for its large personality and alert, loyal nature.
Clydesdale
A breed of draft horse from Scotland, famous for its large size and the distinctive feathering on its lower legs.
Common Dolphin
A highly social and energetic dolphin, known for its distinctive hourglass color pattern and acrobatic leaps from the water.
Cichlid
An incredibly diverse family of fish, popular in aquariums, known for complex behaviors like protecting their young in their mouths.
Chuckwalla
A large lizard that inflates its body with air to wedge itself tightly into rock crevices as a clever defense mechanism.
Chambered Nautilus
A “living fossil” mollusc with a beautiful, spiraled shell containing gas-filled chambers that it uses for buoyancy control.
Cottontail Rabbit
Named for its fluffy, white tail that resembles a cotton ball, this common rabbit is a key prey species in its ecosystem.
Common Kestrel
A small falcon known for its characteristic hunting behavior of hovering in mid-air while searching for prey on the ground.
Canada Goose
A large, loud goose with a black head and a distinctive white “chinstrap,” often seen migrating in V-formations.
Crested Caracara
A unique bird of prey, more like a falcon in shape but with the ground-foraging habits of a vulture.
Crowned Pigeon
A genus of very large, ground-dwelling pigeons, notable for the spectacular, lace-like crest of feathers on their head.
Cockatiel
A small parrot, popular as a household pet, recognizable by its erectile crest which it raises or lowers with its mood.
Common Toad
A large, warty-skinned amphibian that walks rather than hops and secretes a mild toxin from its skin to deter predators.
