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Popular Animals That Start With the Letter C

Popular Animals That Start With the Letter C shown together in a dense collage of realistic wildlife, including reptiles, insects, birds, amphibians, fish, shrimp, squid, coral, crabs, crayfish, cuttlefish, and other animals.

Animals that start with the letter C include some of the most famous creatures on Earth: the cat, cheetah, chimpanzee, crocodile, camel and capybara. They also include stranger stars, such as the colossal squid, the cassowary and the Chinese giant salamander. This guide covers well-known C animals, sorted into mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, insects, prehistoric animals and mythical creatures.

Each entry gives the scientific name, family, habitat, range, size, diet, lifespan and conservation status. A short key fact follows. If you are working through the alphabet, you can also read our guides to animals that start with A and animals that start with B.

A name is a small human invention, but it opens a door. Follow the letter C and you travel from Arctic tundra to coral reefs, and from living rainforests to Jurassic floodplains.

Mammals That Start With C

Camel

A camel standing in a vast golden desert landscape with sand dunes in the background.
Camel adapted to survive in hot, dry desert environments.
  • Scientific Name: Camelus spp.
  • Family: Camelidae
  • Habitat: Deserts, dry grasslands, and semi-arid regions
  • Range: North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Australia, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: Varies by species; generally about 1.7–2.3 m tall and 300–1,000 kg
  • Diet: Grasses, leaves, shrubs, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 40–50 years
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species; the wild Bactrian camel is Critically Endangered
  • Key Fact: Camels are specially adapted to survive in hot, dry environments and can go for long periods with limited access to water.

Canadian Lynx

A Canadian lynx walking through deep snow in a boreal forest, with large furry paws and black ear tufts.
Canadian lynx navigating deep snow with its large furry paws.
  • Scientific Name: Lynx canadensis
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Boreal forests, rocky areas, and tundra
  • Range: Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States
  • Size and Weight: About 67–107 cm long; 8–17 kg
  • Diet: Mainly snowshoe hares, birds, rodents, and occasionally larger prey
  • Lifespan: About 10–15 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The Canadian lynx has large, furry paws that act like snowshoes, helping it move across deep snow.

Capybara

A capybara standing in shallow water surrounded by green wetland vegetation.
Capybara resting near the water in a lush South American wetland.
  • Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
  • Family: Caviidae
  • Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, forests, and areas near rivers and lakes
  • Range: Much of South America
  • Size and Weight: About 1–1.3 m long; up to about 66 kg
  • Diet: Grass, aquatic plants, fruit, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 6–10 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world.

Caracal

A reddish-brown caracal standing in golden African savanna grass with its long black ear tufts visible.
Caracal standing alert in the African savanna.
  • Scientific Name: Caracal caracal
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Savanna, scrubland, dry woodland, and semi-desert
  • Range: Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia
  • Size and Weight: About 60–90 cm long; 8–19 kg
  • Diet: Birds, rodents, hares, small antelope, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: About 12 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Caracals can leap about 3 meters into the air to catch birds.

Caribou

A caribou with large branching antlers walking across a snowy Arctic tundra.
Caribou crossing the cold Arctic tundra with impressive antlers.
  • Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus
  • Family: Cervidae
  • Habitat: Arctic and subarctic tundra, boreal forests, and mountain regions
  • Range: Northern North America, Greenland, and Eurasia
  • Size and Weight: About 1.2–2.2 m long; roughly 60–180 kg
  • Diet: Lichens, grasses, leaves, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 10–15 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable
  • Key Fact: Caribou are unusual among deer because both males and females can grow antlers.

Cat

A domestic cat sitting in a green garden with alert eyes, whiskers, and detailed fur.
Domestic cat observing its surroundings outdoors.
  • Scientific Name: Felis catus
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Human homes, farms, cities, and many other environments
  • Range: Worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Typically about 46–51 cm long; 2.5–7 kg
  • Diet: Primarily meat and other animal-based foods
  • Lifespan: About 12–18 years, with some living longer
  • Conservation Status: Not assessed by the IUCN as a domestic species
  • Key Fact: Domestic cats retain strong hunting instincts and can detect movement and sounds that are difficult for humans to notice.

Chamois

A chamois standing on a rocky Alpine mountain slope surrounded by green meadows and cliffs.
Chamois climbing confidently across a steep Alpine mountain slope.
  • Scientific Name: Rupicapra rupicapra
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Habitat: Mountain slopes, alpine meadows, rocky cliffs, and forests
  • Range: Mountain regions of Europe and parts of western Asia
  • Size and Weight: About 90–140 cm long; 25–60 kg
  • Diet: Grasses, herbs, leaves, shoots, and shrubs
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Chamois are excellent climbers and can move rapidly across steep, rocky mountain terrain.

Cheetah

A spotted cheetah standing in tall golden grass with African acacia trees in the distance.
Cheetah standing in the open African savanna.
  • Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas, and dry woodland
  • Range: Mainly sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population in Iran
  • Size and Weight: About 1.1–1.4 m long; 21–72 kg
  • Diet: Gazelles, hares, birds, and other small to medium-sized animals
  • Lifespan: About 10–12 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable
  • Key Fact: The cheetah is the fastest land animal, with reliably recorded speeds of about 93–98 km/h.

Chimpanzee

A wild chimpanzee sitting on a tree branch surrounded by dense green tropical forest vegetation.
Chimpanzee resting among the trees of a tropical forest.
  • Scientific Name: Pan troglodytes
  • Family: Hominidae
  • Habitat: Tropical forests, woodland, and savanna mosaics
  • Range: Central and West Africa
  • Size and Weight: About 1–1.7 m tall; 30–70 kg
  • Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds, insects, and occasionally meat
  • Lifespan: About 33 years in the wild; longer in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Endangered
  • Key Fact: Chimpanzees use tools, communicate socially, and can modify objects to help obtain food.

Chinchilla

A gray wild chinchilla sitting on a rocky ledge in the high Andes mountains.
Wild chinchilla perched among the rocky landscapes of the Andes.
  • Scientific Name: Chinchilla spp.
  • Family: Chinchillidae
  • Habitat: Rocky, mountainous regions
  • Range: Native to the Andes of Chile and neighboring areas
  • Size and Weight: About 22–38 cm long; 400–800 g
  • Diet: Grasses, seeds, roots, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: About 10 years in the wild; up to 20 years or more in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Endangered, depending on species
  • Key Fact: Chinchillas have exceptionally dense fur, with dozens of hairs growing from each follicle.

Chipmunk

An eastern chipmunk sitting on a moss-covered tree stump while holding a seed.
Eastern chipmunk searching for food in a woodland.
  • Scientific Name: Tamias striatus (eastern chipmunk example)
  • Family: Sciuridae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodland edges, parks, and rocky areas
  • Range: Eastern North America
  • Size and Weight: About 20–30 cm long including the tail; 70–140 g
  • Diet: Seeds, nuts, fruit, fungi, insects, and other small foods
  • Lifespan: About 2–3 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Chipmunks store food in underground burrows to use during periods when food is scarce.

Civet

An African civet walking through woodland with a spotted gray-brown coat and bushy tail.
African civet moving quietly through woodland at dusk.
  • Scientific Name: Civettictis civetta (African civet example)
  • Family: Viverridae
  • Habitat: Forests, grasslands, savannas, and other habitats
  • Range: Sub-Saharan Africa for the African civet
  • Size and Weight: About 67–89 cm long; 7–20 kg
  • Diet: Fruit, insects, small vertebrates, eggs, and other foods
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Civets are mostly nocturnal and have scent glands that they use for marking territory and communication.

Clouded Leopard

A clouded leopard with large cloud-shaped markings walking through dense tropical rainforest.
Clouded leopard moving through the dense forests of Southeast Asia.
  • Scientific Name: Neofelis nebulosa
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Tropical forests and dense woodland
  • Range: South and Southeast Asia
  • Size and Weight: About 60–110 cm long; 11–23 kg
  • Diet: Monkeys, deer, birds, rodents, and other animals
  • Lifespan: About 11 years in the wild; longer in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable
  • Key Fact: The clouded leopard has exceptionally large canine teeth relative to its skull and is an excellent climber.

Coati

A South American coati using its long nose to search through leaf litter in a tropical forest.
Coati searching through forest leaves for food.
  • Scientific Name: Nasua nasua (South American coati example)
  • Family: Procyonidae
  • Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, woodland, and grassland
  • Range: Central and South America
  • Size and Weight: About 40–70 cm long, excluding the tail; 2–7 kg
  • Diet: Fruit, insects, eggs, small vertebrates, and other foods
  • Lifespan: About 7–14 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Coatis use their long, flexible noses to search through soil, leaves, and other debris for food.

Cougar

A tawny cougar standing on a rocky mountain ridge with pine forests and distant mountains behind it.
Cougar standing on a rocky mountain ridge.
  • Scientific Name: Puma concolor
  • Family: Felidae
  • Habitat: Forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands, and wetlands
  • Range: From the Yukon and western Canada through the United States to southern Chile and Argentina
  • Size and Weight: About 1–2 m long; 30–100 kg
  • Diet: Deer, elk, smaller mammals, and other prey
  • Lifespan: About 8–13 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The cougar is one of the most widespread large wild land mammals in the Western Hemisphere.

Cow

A brown-and-white domestic cow standing in a lush green pasture surrounded by countryside.
Domestic cow grazing peacefully in a green pasture.
  • Scientific Name: Bos taurus and Bos indicus
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Habitat: Grasslands, farms, pastures, and agricultural areas
  • Range: Worldwide as a domesticated animal
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by breed; often 400–1,000 kg
  • Diet: Grass, hay, forage, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years
  • Conservation Status: Domesticated; not assessed as a wild species
  • Key Fact: Cows are ruminants with a specialized digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from tough plant material.

Coyote

A gray-brown coyote standing in a dry North American grassland with mountains in the distance.
Coyote standing alert in the North American wilderness.
  • Scientific Name: Canis latrans
  • Family: Canidae
  • Habitat: Grasslands, deserts, forests, mountains, farmland, and urban areas
  • Range: North and Central America
  • Size and Weight: About 1–1.4 m long; 9–20 kg
  • Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and carrion
  • Lifespan: About 10–14 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Coyotes have expanded their range dramatically and can survive in highly developed landscapes.

Coypu

A brown coypu swimming among reeds and aquatic plants in a freshwater wetland.
Coypu swimming through a freshwater wetland.
  • Scientific Name: Myocastor coypus
  • Family: Myocastoridae
  • Habitat: Rivers, lakes, marshes, wetlands, and other freshwater environments
  • Range: Native to South America; introduced populations occur in parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa
  • Size and Weight: About 40–65 cm long; 4–9 kg
  • Diet: Aquatic plants, grasses, roots, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 6–8 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Coypu are excellent swimmers and can become invasive when introduced outside their native range.

Birds That Start With C

Canada Goose

A Canada goose standing near the edge of a lake surrounded by green vegetation.
Canada goose standing beside a calm lake.
  • Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
  • Family: Anatidae
  • Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, grasslands, and urban parks
  • Range: North America, with introduced populations in parts of Europe and New Zealand
  • Size and Weight: About 75–110 cm long; 2.5–6.5 kg
  • Diet: Grasses, aquatic plants, grains, seeds, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 10–20 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Canada geese often fly in a distinctive V formation, which helps reduce aerodynamic drag during long flights.

Canary

A bright yellow canary perched on a branch with soft natural greenery in the background.
Yellow canary perched on a small branch.
  • Scientific Name: Serinus canaria
  • Family: Fringillidae
  • Habitat: Woodlands, scrub, grasslands, and coastal areas
  • Range: Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira
  • Size and Weight: About 12–13 cm long; 15–25 g
  • Diet: Seeds, grains, fruits, and small insects
  • Lifespan: About 10 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Male canaries are famous for their elaborate songs, and their singing ability has made them popular as cage birds for centuries.

Cardinal

A bright red male northern cardinal perched on a branch with green foliage behind it.
Northern cardinal perched among woodland branches.
  • Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
  • Family: Cardinalidae
  • Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, shrublands, gardens, and suburban areas
  • Range: Eastern and central North America, extending into parts of Mexico
  • Size and Weight: About 21–23 cm long; 33–65 g
  • Diet: Seeds, grains, fruit, and insects
  • Lifespan: About 3 years on average in the wild; some live much longer
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Female northern cardinals can also sing, which is unusual among female songbirds.

Cassowary

A southern cassowary with a blue neck and tall casque walking through dense tropical rainforest.
Southern cassowary walking through a tropical rainforest.
  • Scientific Name: Casuarius casuarius (southern cassowary example)
  • Family: Casuariidae
  • Habitat: Tropical rainforests, swamps, and dense woodland
  • Range: Northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands
  • Size and Weight: About 1.5–1.8 m tall; 30–85 kg
  • Diet: Mainly fruit, along with fungi, insects, small vertebrates, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: About 12–19 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Cassowaries have a large claw on the inner toe that can reach about 12 cm and can cause serious injuries.

Chickadee

A black-capped chickadee perched on a small branch with its black cap and white cheeks clearly visible.
Black-capped chickadee perched in a woodland.
  • Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus (black-capped chickadee example)
  • Family: Paridae
  • Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, parks, and gardens
  • Range: Canada, Alaska, and much of the northern and eastern United States
  • Size and Weight: About 12–15 cm long; 9–14 g
  • Diet: Seeds, insects, berries, and other small foods
  • Lifespan: Usually 2–3 years in the wild; some individuals live much longer
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Chickadees hide food in many locations and can remember thousands of food caches.

Chicken

A domestic chicken standing on grass in a rural farm setting.
Domestic chicken foraging on a farm.
  • Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
  • Family: Phasianidae
  • Habitat: Farms, grasslands, woodland edges, and human settlements
  • Range: Worldwide as a domesticated bird
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by breed; commonly about 1.5–5 kg
  • Diet: Seeds, grains, plants, insects, and other small foods
  • Lifespan: About 5–10 years, depending on breed and conditions
  • Conservation Status: Domesticated; not assessed as a wild species
  • Key Fact: Chickens are descended from the red junglefowl and are among the most numerous domesticated birds in the world.

Cockatiel

A gray cockatiel perched on a branch with a yellow face, orange cheek patches, and tall crest.
Cockatiel perched with its distinctive raised crest.
  • Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus
  • Family: Cacatuidae
  • Habitat: Open woodland, grassland, scrub, and areas near water
  • Range: Australia
  • Size and Weight: About 30–35 cm long; 80–120 g
  • Diet: Seeds, grasses, grains, fruits, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family and is widely kept as a companion bird.

Cockatoo

A white cockatoo perched on a tree branch with its large crest raised.
Cockatoo displaying its impressive crest.
  • Scientific Name: Cacatuidae
  • Family: Cacatuidae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodland, savanna, grassland, and urban areas
  • Range: Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and nearby islands
  • Size and Weight: Varies by species; about 30–70 cm long
  • Diet: Seeds, nuts, fruit, roots, insects, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: Often 20–60 years, with some species living even longer
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Cockatoos are highly intelligent birds and can use their strong beaks to manipulate objects, open containers, and solve problems.

Condor

An Andean condor flying above rugged mountain peaks with its enormous wings fully spread.
Andean condor soaring above the Andes Mountains.
  • Scientific Name: Vultur gryphus (Andean condor example)
  • Family: Cathartidae
  • Habitat: Mountains, grasslands, coastal cliffs, and open landscapes
  • Range: Andes of South America
  • Size and Weight: About 1–1.3 m long; 8–15 kg; wingspan about 3–3.3 m
  • Diet: Mainly carrion
  • Lifespan: More than 50 years in some individuals
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable
  • Key Fact: The Andean condor has one of the largest wingspans of any flying land bird.

Conure

A colorful green-cheeked conure perched on a branch surrounded by tropical vegetation.
Green-cheeked conure perched among tropical foliage.
  • Scientific Name: Pyrrhura molinae (green-cheeked conure example)
  • Family: Psittacidae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodland, savanna, and agricultural areas
  • Range: South America
  • Size and Weight: About 25–30 cm long; 60–80 g
  • Diet: Seeds, fruit, flowers, leaves, and other plant material
  • Lifespan: About 20–30 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Conure is a general name for several groups of small to medium-sized parrots rather than a single species.

Corella

A little corella with pale feathers and a curved beak perched on a branch in Australia.
Little corella perched in an Australian landscape.
  • Scientific Name: Cacatua sanguinea
  • Family: Cacatuidae
  • Habitat: Open woodland, grassland, farmland, and urban areas
  • Range: Australia
  • Size and Weight: About 35–40 cm long; 500–650 g
  • Diet: Seeds, grains, roots, bulbs, fruit, and other vegetation
  • Lifespan: About 20–40 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Corellas can form extremely large and noisy flocks, sometimes gathering in the thousands.

Cormorant

A great cormorant standing beside a lake with its dark wings spread wide to dry.
Great cormorant drying its wings beside the water.
  • Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo (great cormorant example)
  • Family: Phalacrocoracidae
  • Habitat: Coasts, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands
  • Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and parts of North America
  • Size and Weight: About 80–100 cm long; 2–3.7 kg
  • Diet: Mainly fish, along with crustaceans and other aquatic animals
  • Lifespan: About 10–20 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Cormorants are excellent underwater hunters and are often seen spreading their wings to dry after diving.

Crane

A tall crane standing in shallow wetland water surrounded by grasses and reeds.
Crane standing gracefully in a peaceful wetland.
  • Scientific Name: Gruidae
  • Family: Gruidae
  • Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, marshes, agricultural fields, and open woodland
  • Range: Worldwide except Antarctica and South America, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: Varies by species; about 90–175 cm tall
  • Diet: Seeds, grains, roots, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small animals
  • Lifespan: About 20–30 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: There are 15 recognized crane species, and many are known for their elaborate courtship dances.

Crow

A black American crow perched on a tree branch with woodland vegetation in the background.
American crow perched on a branch in the wild.
  • Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos (American crow example)
  • Family: Corvidae
  • Habitat: Forests, farmland, grasslands, cities, and suburbs
  • Range: North America
  • Size and Weight: About 40–50 cm long; 300–600 g
  • Diet: Seeds, fruit, insects, carrion, eggs, and human food
  • Lifespan: About 7–8 years on average in the wild; some live much longer
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Crows are highly intelligent and can recognize individual human faces and remember people who have threatened them.

Cuckoo

A common cuckoo perched on a branch with its gray back and barred chest visible.
Common cuckoo perched quietly in a woodland.
  • Scientific Name: Cuculus canorus (common cuckoo example)
  • Family: Cuculidae
  • Habitat: Woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and farmland
  • Range: Europe, Asia, and Africa depending on season
  • Size and Weight: About 32–36 cm long; 100–150 g
  • Diet: Mainly insects and caterpillars, along with other small prey
  • Lifespan: About 5–10 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The common cuckoo is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the host parents to raise its chick.

Reptiles That Start With C

Caiman

A spectacled caiman resting at the edge of a tropical freshwater river surrounded by vegetation.
Caiman resting near a freshwater wetland.
  • Scientific Name: Caiman crocodilus
  • Family: Alligatoridae
  • Habitat: Rivers, lakes, wetlands, swamps, and slow-moving waterways
  • Range: Central and South America
  • Size and Weight: About 1.5–2.5 m long; 7–40 kg
  • Diet: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals
  • Lifespan: About 30–40 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Caimans are crocodilian reptiles that spend much of their time in or near freshwater.

Chameleon

A colorful chameleon gripping a tree branch with its independently positioned eyes and curled tail.
Chameleon carefully climbing along a forest branch.
  • Scientific Name: Chamaeleonidae
  • Family: Chamaeleonidae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodlands, scrublands, and savannas
  • Range: Africa, Madagascar, southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species; about 3–70 cm long
  • Diet: Insects, spiders, and other small animals; some species also eat plant material
  • Lifespan: Varies by species; some live only about 1 year while others live several years
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Chameleons can move their eyes independently and use long, rapidly projected tongues to capture prey.

Cobra

A cobra raising its head and spreading its hood in a natural grassland setting.
Cobra displaying its distinctive defensive hood.
  • Scientific Name: Naja spp.
  • Family: Elapidae
  • Habitat: Forests, grasslands, savannas, farmland, and human settlements
  • Range: Africa and Asia, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: About 1–2.5 m long, depending on species
  • Diet: Rodents, frogs, lizards, birds, eggs, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years in captivity, depending on species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Many cobras spread their neck ribs to form a distinctive hood when threatened.

Copperhead

An eastern copperhead resting among brown leaves and woodland vegetation with its patterned body visible.
Copperhead camouflaged among fallen leaves.
  • Scientific Name: Agkistrodon contortrix
  • Family: Viperidae
  • Habitat: Forests, rocky hillsides, wetlands, fields, and woodland edges
  • Range: Eastern and central United States
  • Size and Weight: About 60–90 cm long; generally 100–350 g
  • Diet: Rodents, frogs, insects, lizards, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Copperheads are venomous pit vipers that use heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils to detect prey.

Coral Snake

A brightly banded coral snake moving across leaf litter in a forest.
Coral snake displaying its vivid warning colors.
  • Scientific Name: Micrurus spp.
  • Family: Elapidae
  • Habitat: Forests, grasslands, woodland, and areas with loose soil or leaf litter
  • Range: North, Central, and South America, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: Commonly about 45–75 cm long
  • Diet: Small snakes, lizards, amphibians, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: Varies by species; often more than 10 years
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Coral snakes are venomous and often have brightly colored bands of red, yellow, and black, but color patterns vary by species.

Corn Snake

A corn snake with orange and reddish markings slithering across fallen leaves.
Corn snake moving through woodland leaf litter.
  • Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
  • Family: Colubridae
  • Habitat: Forests, fields, woodland edges, farms, and abandoned buildings
  • Range: Southeastern and eastern United States
  • Size and Weight: About 60–120 cm long; usually 250–900 g
  • Diet: Rodents, birds, eggs, amphibians, and small reptiles
  • Lifespan: About 6–8 years in the wild; often 15–20 years in captivity
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Corn snakes are nonvenomous constrictors and are popular pets because they are generally docile and easy to care for.

Crocodile

A large crocodile partially submerged in a tropical river with only its head and back visible above the water.
Crocodile resting beside a tropical river.
  • Scientific Name: Crocodylus spp.
  • Family: Crocodylidae
  • Habitat: Rivers, lakes, wetlands, swamps, estuaries, and coastal areas
  • Range: Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species; about 1.5–7 m long
  • Diet: Fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, and other animals
  • Lifespan: Often 50–70 years, with some individuals living longer
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Unlike alligators, crocodiles generally have a visible lower tooth when their mouths are closed.

Amphibians That Start With C

Cane Toad

A large cane toad sitting among leaves and vegetation in a tropical environment.
Cane toad resting on the forest floor.
  • Scientific Name: Rhinella marina
  • Family: Bufonidae
  • Habitat: Tropical forests, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural areas, and urban environments
  • Range: Native to Central and South America; introduced to many other regions
  • Size and Weight: About 10–24 cm long; females can weigh more than 1 kg
  • Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, carrion, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: About 10–15 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Cane toads have been introduced to many regions and can become highly invasive because of their toxic skin secretions.

Chinese Giant Salamander

A large Chinese giant salamander resting underwater among rocks in a clear freshwater stream.
Chinese giant salamander resting in a mountain stream.
  • Scientific Name: Andrias davidianus
  • Family: Cryptobranchidae
  • Habitat: Mountain streams, rivers, and freshwater pools
  • Range: China
  • Size and Weight: Can reach about 1.8 m long and more than 50 kg
  • Diet: Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and other aquatic animals
  • Lifespan: More than 50 years in some individuals
  • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
  • Key Fact: The Chinese giant salamander is the largest living amphibian in the world.

Colorado River Toad

A Colorado River toad sitting on sandy ground among desert vegetation.
Colorado River toad in its desert habitat.
  • Scientific Name: Incilius alvarius
  • Family: Bufonidae
  • Habitat: Desert areas, grasslands, river valleys, and seasonal wetlands
  • Range: Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
  • Size and Weight: About 18–20 cm long
  • Diet: Insects, spiders, small mammals, reptiles, and other prey
  • Lifespan: About 10–15 years
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: The Colorado River toad produces potent skin secretions that can be harmful to predators and pets.

Fish That Start With C

Carp

A large common carp swimming underwater in a freshwater lake surrounded by aquatic vegetation.
Common carp swimming through a freshwater lake.
  • Scientific Name: Cyprinus carpio
  • Family: Cyprinidae
  • Habitat: Lakes, rivers, ponds, canals, and other freshwater environments
  • Range: Native to Eurasia; introduced populations occur worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Commonly 40–80 cm long; can exceed 20 kg
  • Diet: Aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, seeds, and other food
  • Lifespan: About 15–20 years; some can live much longer
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable in some wild assessments; widely introduced and domesticated
  • Key Fact: Koi are domesticated varieties of common carp and have been selectively bred for their striking colors and patterns.

Catfish

A catfish swimming above the bottom of a freshwater river with long whisker-like barbels around its mouth.
Catfish swimming along the bottom of a freshwater habitat.
  • Scientific Name: Siluriformes
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and coastal waters
  • Range: Worldwide except Antarctica
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species, from a few centimeters to more than 2 m
  • Diet: Insects, crustaceans, fish, plants, and other food
  • Lifespan: Varies by species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Catfish are named for the whisker-like barbels around their mouths, which help them locate food.

Clownfish

An orange-and-white clownfish swimming beside a sea anemone on a tropical coral reef.
Clownfish swimming among the tentacles of a sea anemone.
  • Scientific Name: Amphiprion ocellaris
  • Family: Pomacentridae
  • Habitat: Tropical coral reefs and sea anemones
  • Range: Tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean
  • Size and Weight: About 8–11 cm long
  • Diet: Algae, plankton, small crustaceans, and food scraps from their host anemone
  • Lifespan: About 6–10 years in the wild
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern
  • Key Fact: Clownfish live in close partnership with sea anemones and can change sex, with the dominant individual becoming female.

Cod

An Atlantic cod swimming underwater with a speckled body and prominent chin barbel.
Atlantic cod swimming through cold North Atlantic waters.
  • Scientific Name: Gadus morhua
  • Family: Gadidae
  • Habitat: Cold marine waters, continental shelves, and deeper coastal waters
  • Range: North Atlantic Ocean
  • Size and Weight: Commonly about 60–130 cm long; can exceed 40 kg
  • Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans, and other marine animals
  • Lifespan: Up to about 25 years
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable
  • Key Fact: Atlantic cod has been one of the world’s most commercially important fish, but many populations have been heavily affected by overfishing.

Sea and Freshwater Invertebrates That Start With C

Cleaner Shrimp

A brightly striped cleaner shrimp perched on a coral reef among rocks and sea anemone tentacles.
Cleaner shrimp at a tropical reef cleaning station.
  • Scientific Name: Lysmata amboinensis
  • Family: Hippolytidae
  • Habitat: Tropical coral reefs, rocky surfaces, and reef crevices
  • Range: Tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific
  • Size and Weight: About 5–6 cm long
  • Diet: Parasites, dead tissue, mucus, and food particles from fish
  • Lifespan: About 2–3 years
  • Conservation Status: Not assessed
  • Key Fact: Cleaner shrimp establish cleaning stations where fish visit to have parasites and dead tissue removed from their bodies.

Clam

A clam partially buried in sand on the bottom of a shallow marine environment.
Clam partially buried in a sandy marine seabed.
  • Scientific Name: Bivalvia
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Marine and freshwater environments, including sandy bottoms, mudflats, and rocky substrates
  • Range: Worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species
  • Diet: Mostly microscopic algae and organic particles filtered from water
  • Lifespan: Varies greatly; some species can live for centuries
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Some clams are exceptionally long-lived; an ocean quahog named Ming was estimated to have lived for about 507 years.

Colossal Squid

A colossal squid with large eyes and long tentacles suspended in the dark deep ocean.
Colossal squid adapted to the darkness of the deep Southern Ocean.
  • Scientific Name: Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
  • Family: Cranchiidae
  • Habitat: Deep waters of the Southern Ocean
  • Range: Southern Ocean around Antarctica
  • Size and Weight: Estimated to reach several meters in length; the heaviest recorded specimen weighed about 495 kg
  • Diet: Fish and other squid
  • Lifespan: Believed to be several years, although its exact lifespan is uncertain
  • Conservation Status: Not assessed
  • Key Fact: The colossal squid is considered the heaviest known squid, and it has enormous eyes adapted for seeing in the deep ocean.

Coral

A colorful coral reef growing underwater with branching and rounded coral colonies surrounded by marine life.
Coral colony forming a vibrant underwater reef habitat.
  • Scientific Name: Anthozoa
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Marine environments, especially tropical and subtropical seas
  • Range: Oceans worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species and colony
  • Diet: Tiny plankton and organic particles; many reef-building corals also receive energy from symbiotic algae
  • Lifespan: Individual coral colonies can live for decades, centuries, or longer
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species; many coral species face serious threats
  • Key Fact: Corals are animals, not plants or rocks, and reef-building corals create habitats that support thousands of other marine species.

Crab

A crab walking sideways across wet sand near the edge of the ocean.
Crab walking across a sandy coastal habitat.
  • Scientific Name: Brachyura
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Oceans, beaches, estuaries, freshwater habitats, and land
  • Range: Worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species
  • Diet: Algae, plants, mollusks, worms, carrion, and other animals
  • Lifespan: Varies greatly by species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Most crabs move sideways because of the structure and movement of their jointed legs.

Crayfish

A freshwater crayfish walking across rocks at the bottom of a clear stream with its claws extended.
Freshwater crayfish exploring a rocky streambed.
  • Scientific Name: Astacoidea and Parastacoidea
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands
  • Range: North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions depending on species
  • Size and Weight: Usually about 5–20 cm long, although some species are larger
  • Diet: Plants, algae, insects, worms, carrion, and other organic material
  • Lifespan: About 2–8 years, depending on species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Crayfish resemble small freshwater lobsters and use their claws for feeding, defense, and handling objects.

Cuttlefish

A common cuttlefish resting above a sandy seabed with its broad body, arms, and tentacles visible.
Cuttlefish changing its appearance on the seafloor.
  • Scientific Name: Sepia officinalis (common cuttlefish example)
  • Family: Sepiidae
  • Habitat: Coastal marine waters, sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and rocky areas
  • Range: Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea for the common cuttlefish
  • Size and Weight: Up to about 45 cm long and several kilograms, depending on species
  • Diet: Fish, crabs, shrimp, and other small marine animals
  • Lifespan: About 1–2 years for many species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Cuttlefish have three hearts and can rapidly change their skin color and pattern to communicate, camouflage themselves, or confuse predators.

Insects and Creepy Crawlies That Start With C

Carpenter Ant

Black carpenter ant walking across weathered wood near its nest.
A carpenter ant exploring the surface of a wooden nest.
  • Scientific Name: Camponotus spp.
  • Family: Formicidae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodland, gardens, and areas around buildings
  • Range: Worldwide, depending on species
  • Size and Weight: About 0.6–2.5 cm long, depending on species and caste
  • Diet: Insects, honeydew, fruit, nectar, and other sugary foods
  • Lifespan: Workers may live for several years; queens can live much longer
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Carpenter ants excavate galleries in wood for nesting, but they do not eat the wood.

Caterpillar

Caterpillar crawling along a green leaf while feeding on plant material.
A caterpillar feeding on a fresh green leaf.
  • Scientific Name: Lepidoptera larvae
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Plants, trees, shrubs, forests, grasslands, and gardens
  • Range: Worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Varies greatly by species; commonly a few millimeters to several centimeters long
  • Diet: Mostly leaves and other plant material
  • Lifespan: Usually several weeks to a few months before becoming a pupa
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: A caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly or moth and can grow dramatically before transforming into an adult.

Centipede

Long centipede with many legs crawling through leaves and soil.
A centipede moving through damp forest leaf litter.
  • Scientific Name: Chilopoda
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Soil, leaf litter, forests, caves, deserts, and other moist environments
  • Range: Worldwide except Antarctica
  • Size and Weight: Usually a few centimeters long; some species can exceed 30 cm
  • Diet: Insects, spiders, worms, and other small animals
  • Lifespan: Varies by species; often several years
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Despite their name, centipedes do not have exactly 100 legs; their number of leg pairs varies by species.

Cicada

Cicada perched on rough tree bark with its transparent wings visible.
A cicada resting on the bark of a tree.
  • Scientific Name: Cicadidae
  • Family: Cicadidae
  • Habitat: Forests, woodland, grasslands, and urban areas
  • Range: Worldwide except Antarctica
  • Size and Weight: About 1.5–5 cm long, depending on species
  • Diet: Plant fluids, mainly from trees and other plants
  • Lifespan: Several years underground for many species; adults usually live only a few weeks
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Male cicadas produce loud calls using specialized organs called tymbals, and some periodical cicadas emerge in enormous synchronized broods.

Cockroach

Brown cockroach crawling among fallen leaves and natural debris.
A cockroach moving through leaf litter on the forest floor.
  • Scientific Name: Blattodea
  • Family: Varies by species
  • Habitat: Forests, caves, grasslands, buildings, sewers, and many other environments
  • Range: Worldwide
  • Size and Weight: Usually about 1–8 cm long, depending on species
  • Diet: Plant material, decaying organic matter, insects, and many other foods
  • Lifespan: Several months to more than a year, depending on species
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: There are roughly 4,500 known cockroach species, but only a small number are common household pests.

Cricket

Brown cricket perched among green grass in a natural field habitat.
A field cricket resting among blades of grass.
  • Scientific Name: Gryllidae
  • Family: Gryllidae
  • Habitat: Grasslands, forests, fields, caves, gardens, and urban areas
  • Range: Worldwide except Antarctica
  • Size and Weight: About 1–5 cm long, depending on species
  • Diet: Plants, seeds, fungi, insects, and decaying organic matter
  • Lifespan: Usually a few months to about a year
  • Conservation Status: Varies by species
  • Key Fact: Male crickets produce their familiar chirping sound by rubbing their wings together, and warmer temperatures generally make their calls faster.

Prehistoric Animals That Start With C

Carnotaurus

Carnotaurus with two horns above its eyes walking through a prehistoric South American landscape.
Carnotaurus was a horned meat-eating dinosaur from Late Cretaceous Argentina.
  • Scientific Name: Carnotaurus sastrei
  • Family: Abelisauridae
  • Habitat: Woodlands and floodplain environments of Late Cretaceous South America
  • Range: Present-day Argentina
  • Size and Weight: About 7.5–9 m long; estimated at roughly 1.3–2.1 tonnes
  • Diet: Meat
  • Lifespan: Unknown
  • Conservation Status: Extinct
  • Key Fact: Carnotaurus had two distinctive horns above its eyes, extremely short arms, and a body covered partly or largely in scales.

Ceratosaurus

Ceratosaurus displaying its prominent snout horn and bony back plates in a Jurassic landscape.
Ceratosaurus was a horned predator that lived during the Jurassic Period.
  • Scientific Name: Ceratosaurus nasicornis
  • Family: Ceratosauridae
  • Habitat: Rivers, floodplains, forests, and other Jurassic environments
  • Range: North America and possibly other parts of the world
  • Size and Weight: About 5–7 m long
  • Diet: Meat
  • Lifespan: Unknown
  • Conservation Status: Extinct
  • Key Fact: Ceratosaurus had a prominent horn on its snout and rows of bony plates running along its back.

Coelophysis

Slender Coelophysis dinosaurs moving across a prehistoric floodplain in North America.
Coelophysis was a small, lightly built early dinosaur from North America.
  • Scientific Name: Coelophysis bauri
  • Family: Coelophysidae
  • Habitat: Floodplains, forests, and semi-arid environments
  • Range: North America
  • Size and Weight: About 2–3 m long; roughly 15–20 kg
  • Diet: Small animals and possibly insects
  • Lifespan: Unknown
  • Conservation Status: Extinct
  • Key Fact: Thousands of Coelophysis fossils were discovered at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, making it one of the best-known early dinosaurs.

Mythical Animals That Start With C

Centaur

Photorealistic image of a white marble centaur statue with curly hair and a beard, upper body of a muscular man and lower body of a horse, standing on a stone base in a lush green forest with mossy rocks, fallen logs, and ferns, showing signs of age with lichen and dirt on the stone.
A weathered marble centaur statue standing alone in a moss-covered forest — a timeless guardian of ancient mythology.
  • Scientific Name: None; mythological creature
  • Family: None; Greek mythology
  • Habitat: Mythological mountains, forests, and wilderness
  • Range: Ancient Greek mythology
  • Size and Weight: Typically depicted as human-sized in the upper body with the body of a horse
  • Diet: Varies by story
  • Lifespan: Varies by mythology
  • Conservation Status: Mythical; extinct as a real-world creature
  • Key Fact: A centaur is traditionally depicted with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse.

Cerberus

Photorealistic image of Cerberus, a massive black three-headed dog with thick fur and amber eyes, standing alert inside a dark rocky cave with light streaming through the entrance and bones scattered on the ground.
Cerberus, the legendary three-headed hound of Hades, standing guard at the entrance to the underworld.
  • Scientific Name: None; mythological creature
  • Family: None; Greek mythology
  • Habitat: The Underworld in Greek mythology
  • Range: Ancient Greek mythology
  • Size and Weight: Varies by artistic and literary depiction
  • Diet: Varies by story
  • Lifespan: Mythological
  • Conservation Status: Mythical; not a real animal
  • Key Fact: Cerberus is traditionally described as a multi-headed dog, most commonly with three heads, guarding the entrance to the Underworld.

Chimera

Photorealistic image of the Chimera, a mythical creature with the body and head of a battle-scarred lion, a goat head emerging from its back, and a long snake tail, standing on rocky mountain terrain under dramatic cloudy light.
The Chimera, a fire-breathing hybrid of lion, goat, and serpent from Greek mythology.
  • Scientific Name: None; mythological creature
  • Family: None; Greek mythology
  • Habitat: Mythological landscapes and Mount Chimaera
  • Range: Ancient Greek mythology
  • Size and Weight: Varies by depiction
  • Diet: Varies by story
  • Lifespan: Mythological
  • Conservation Status: Mythical; not a real animal
  • Key Fact: The Chimera was traditionally described as a creature combining features of a lion, goat, and serpent, while the word “chimera” is also used in biology for an organism made from genetically different cells.

Cockatrice

Photorealistic image of a Cockatrice mythical creature standing on rocky ground, featuring a rooster's red comb and wattle, golden-brown speckled feathers, large leathery bat-like dragon wings, and a long scaly serpent tail curled behind it, with rugged mountain terrain in the background.
The Cockatrice, a legendary creature with the head of a rooster, dragon-like wings, and a serpent’s tail, said to turn victims to stone.
  • Scientific Name: None; medieval legendary creature
  • Family: None; European folklore
  • Habitat: Medieval European legends
  • Range: European folklore
  • Size and Weight: Varies by depiction
  • Diet: Varies by story
  • Lifespan: Mythological
  • Conservation Status: Mythical; not a real animal
  • Key Fact: The cockatrice was traditionally described as a creature with the head of a rooster and the body of a serpent, and it was often associated with a deadly gaze.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many animals start with the letter C?

There is no single fixed number. Large species databases list thousands of animals with C names, depending on whether common names or scientific names are counted. This guide focuses on well-known ones.

Why is the camel missing from some lists of C animals?

“Camel” is a group name, not a species name. The three camel species are the dromedary, the Bactrian camel and the wild Bactrian camel, and none of those full names starts with C. Lists that count only full species names leave camels out. Lists that use everyday names include them.

What is the fastest animal that starts with C?

The cheetah is the fastest land animal. The best reliably recorded speeds are about 93 and 98 km/h (58–61 mph), reached in short bursts.

Which C animals are endangered?

The chimpanzee, chinchilla and wild Bactrian camel are on the endangered side of the scale, and the Chinese giant salamander is Critically Endangered. The cheetah, clouded leopard, caribou and Andean condor are Vulnerable. The California condor is Critically Endangered, though it is slowly recovering.

Which C animals have names that mislead?

Several do. A cuttlefish is not a fish; it is a cephalopod related to squid and octopus. A crayfish is a crustacean, not a fish. Coral is an animal, not a plant or rock. A centipede does not have exactly 100 legs.

Which C animal lives the longest?

Among the animals in this guide, the ocean quahog clam holds the record. One individual nicknamed Ming was estimated to be about 507 years old. Some deep-sea corals have been dated to thousands of years, but those are colonies, not single animals.

Which C animals are commonly kept as pets?

Cats, cockatiels, corn snakes and chinchillas are commonly kept, but each needs research, proper space and the right care. Wild animals such as coyotes, cougars, caracals and capybaras are not suitable pets. Keeping many species is also restricted by local law, so check the rules where you live.

Sam Sami

Sam covers wildlife, hunting, nature management, and local wildlife issues in Norway. He enjoys following what is happening in the field and turning it into clear, useful stories.

@SamSami | sam@brandclickx.com | Instagram

Popular Animals That Start With the Letter C

Popular Animals That Start With the Letter C shown together in a dense collage of realistic wildlife, including reptiles, insects, birds, amphibians, fish, shrimp, squid, coral, crabs, crayfish, cuttlefish, and other animals.