Animals That Start With C | List & Examples
People frequently search for animal names alphabetically for various reasons – students working on school projects, trivia enthusiasts preparing for games, parents helping with homework, or simply curious minds exploring the animal kingdom.
When focusing on animals that start with the letter C, we discover an incredibly diverse collection ranging from common household pets to exotic wild creatures.
This comprehensive guide will introduce you to numerous domestic animals that start with C and wild animals that start with C, organized systematically with interesting details about each one.
Here’s a simple list of animals that start with c :
- Cat
- Cow
- Chicken
- Canary
- Camel (Domestic)
- Cockatiel
- Chinchilla
- Cattle (including Oxen)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Carolina Dog
- Canadian Horse
- Cotswold Sheep
- Cornish Rex (Cat breed)
- Crested Duck
- Cairn Terrier
- Chartreux (Cat breed)
- Clydesdale Horse
- Cotswold Lion (Sheep breed)
- California Spangled Cat
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
- Cheetah
- Crocodile
- Chimpanzee
- Cougar (Mountain Lion)
- Capybara
- Cassowary
- Chameleon
- Caribou (Reindeer)
- Coral Snake
- Caiman
- Colobus Monkey
- Coati
- Cuttlefish
- Crab
- Coyote
- Clouded Leopard
- Caracal
- Cuscus
- Coelacanth
- Curlew
- Condor (Andean and California)
- Cormorant
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Cichlid (Fish)
- Cicada
- Civet
- Cockatoo
- Coral
- Coucal
- Courser
- Cowbird
- Crab-eating Fox
- Crab-eating Macaque
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile Shark
- Crossbill
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Curassow
- Cuttlefish
- Cuvier’s Gazelle
- Caecilian (Amphibian)
- Cabbage White (Butterfly)
- California Sea Lion
- Cambodian Tailorbird
- Canada Lynx
- Cape Buffalo
- Cape Cobra
- Cape Fur Seal
- Cardinal (Bird)
- Caribbean Reef Shark
- Carpet Python
- Catbird
- Cave Cricket
- Central Bearded Dragon
- Cerulean Warbler
- Chacma Baboon
- Channel-billed Cuckoo
- Checkered Elephant Shrew
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee
- Chinese Alligator
- Christmas Island Red Crab
- Cinereous Vulture
- Clownfish
- Collared Peccary
- Common Dolphin
- Cone Snail
- Congo Peafowl
- Cookiecutter Shark
- Coral Cat Shark
- Cottonmouth Snake
- Crested Black Macaque
- Crested Guan
- Crested Porcupine
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Cuban Crocodile
- Cuckoo Wasp
- Curl-crested Aracari
Want animal names that start with D ? Start here
Domestic Animals That Start With C
Domestic animals have developed symbiotic relationships with humans over centuries, serving as companions, workers, or food sources. Below is an extensive list of domesticated animals that start with C that humans interact with regularly.
Here’s a simple list of domestic animals that start with c :
- Cat
- Cow
- Chicken
- Canary
- Camel (Domestic)
- Cockatiel
- Chinchilla
- Cattle (including Oxen)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Carolina Dog
- Canadian Horse
- Cotswold Sheep
- Cornish Rex (Cat breed)
- Crested Duck
- Cairn Terrier
- Chartreux (Cat breed)
- Clydesdale Horse
- Cotswold Lion (Sheep breed)
- California Spangled Cat
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
1. Cat
Domestic cats (Felis catus) are among the most popular pets globally, with estimates suggesting there are over 600 million cats living in households worldwide.
These graceful felines come in numerous breeds, from the sleek Siamese to the fluffy Persian, each with distinct personality traits and care requirements.
Cats thrive in various environments, from urban apartments to rural farms, demonstrating remarkable adaptability. Beyond their famous purring, cats communicate through body language, vocalizations, and scent marking.
Interestingly, a cat’s nose print is as unique as a human fingerprint, and their whiskers help them navigate tight spaces by detecting air currents.
2. Cow
Cows (Bos taurus) are perhaps the most economically important domesticated animals, providing milk, meat, leather, and labor. Modern dairy cows can produce up to 8 gallons of milk daily, while beef cattle are specifically bred for meat production. There are over 800 cattle breeds worldwide, adapted to different climates and purposes.
These gentle giants display complex social behaviors within their herds, forming strong bonds and even holding grudges against herd members that treat them poorly. Cows have nearly 360-degree panoramic vision, allowing them to watch for predators while grazing. Remarkably, research shows cows become excited when solving problems and will jump for joy when accomplishing tasks.
3. Chicken
Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are the most numerous domesticated birds, with a global population exceeding 25 billion. They descend from wild jungle fowl of Southeast Asia and have been domesticated for at least 8,000 years. Modern chickens come in hundreds of breeds, from tiny bantams to massive Jersey Giants.
These birds exhibit surprising intelligence, capable of object permanence (understanding things exist when out of sight) and basic arithmetic. Chickens have complex communication systems with different alarm calls for aerial versus ground predators. The record for most eggs laid by a single chicken is 371 in one year!
4. Canary
Domestic canaries (Serinus canaria domestica) originated from wild canaries of the Macaronesian Islands. Selective breeding has produced varieties ranging from the vibrant red-factor canaries to the melodious roller canaries known for their unique singing styles. These small birds typically live 10-15 years in captivity.
Canaries require specialized care including proper cage setup, balanced nutrition, and mental stimulation. Their famous sensitivity to toxic gases made them invaluable in coal mines until the 1980s. Modern canary breeds can cost thousands of dollars, with singing competitions being serious business in many countries.
5. Camel (Domestic)
Domestic camels include two main species: the dromedary (one-humped Camelus dromedarius) and the Bactrian (two-humped Camelus bactrianus). These remarkable animals can carry 400-600 pounds for 25-30 miles daily in harsh desert conditions. Their milk is richer in iron and vitamin C than cow’s milk.
Camels have numerous desert adaptations: nostrils that close during sandstorms, three eyelids for eye protection, and thick foot pads for walking on hot sand. Contrary to popular belief, their humps store fat, not water. A well-hydrated camel can drink 30 gallons in just 13 minutes!
6. Cockatiel
Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are native to Australia and the smallest members of the cockatoo family. Their distinctive crests express emotions – raised when excited or curious, flattened when angry. These social birds can live 15-20 years with proper care and grow to about 12-13 inches long.
These intelligent birds recognize their owners and can learn to whistle tunes or mimic sounds. Cockatiels need spacious cages (minimum 24″W×24″D×30″H for one bird) with plenty of toys for mental stimulation. Their diet should include pellets, fresh vegetables, and limited seeds.
7. Chinchilla
Domestic chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) originate from the Andes mountains. Their incredibly dense fur – about 60 hairs per follicle compared to humans’ 1-2 – protects them from cold mountain temperatures. This luxurious fur made them nearly extinct in the wild by the early 1900s.
These nocturnal rodents require cool environments (60-70°F) and specialized dust baths for fur maintenance. Chinchillas can jump up to 6 feet vertically and live 15-20 years in captivity. Their teeth grow continuously, requiring chew toys to prevent overgrowth.
8. Cattle (Including Oxen)
Oxen are cattle (usually males) trained as draft animals, typically castrated bulls over four years old. Teams of oxen can pull enormous weights – records show two oxen pulling over 6,000 pounds. They’re slower but stronger than horses for heavy pulling work.
Oxen have been used in agriculture for over 6,000 years and remain important in developing countries. Training begins at age four and takes 3-4 years. Unlike horses, oxen are typically worked in pairs yoked together, requiring specialized commands and teamwork.
Wild Animals That Start With C
The wild animal kingdom offers an astounding variety of creatures beginning with C, from speedy predators to gentle giants. These wild animals that start with C inhabit diverse ecosystems across the globe.
Here’s a simple list of wild animals that start with c :
- Cheetah
- Crocodile
- Chimpanzee
- Cougar (Mountain Lion)
- Capybara
- Cassowary
- Chameleon
- Caribou (Reindeer)
- Coral Snake
- Caiman
- Colobus Monkey
- Coati
- Cuttlefish
- Crab
- Coyote
- Clouded Leopard
- Caracal
- Cuscus
- Coelacanth
- Curlew
- Condor (Andean and California)
- Cormorant
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Cichlid (Fish)
- Cicada
- Civet
- Cockatoo
- Coral
- Coucal
- Courser
- Cowbird
- Crab-eating Fox
- Crab-eating Macaque
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile Shark
- Crossbill
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Curassow
- Cuttlefish
- Cuvier’s Gazelle
- Caecilian (Amphibian)
- Cabbage White (Butterfly)
- California Sea Lion
- Cambodian Tailorbird
- Canada Lynx
- Cape Buffalo
- Cape Cobra
- Cape Fur Seal
- Cardinal (Bird)
- Caribbean Reef Shark
- Carpet Python
- Catbird
- Cave Cricket
- Central Bearded Dragon
- Cerulean Warbler
- Chacma Baboon
- Channel-billed Cuckoo
- Checkered Elephant Shrew
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee
- Chinese Alligator
- Christmas Island Red Crab
- Cinereous Vulture
- Clownfish
- Collared Peccary
- Common Dolphin
- Cone Snail
- Congo Peafowl
- Cookiecutter Shark
- Coral Cat Shark
- Cottonmouth Snake
- Crested Black Macaque
- Crested Guan
- Crested Porcupine
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Cuban Crocodile
- Cuckoo Wasp
- Curl-crested Aracari
1. Cheetah
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) holds the title of fastest land animal, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds. Their specialized physiology includes enlarged nostrils, lungs, and heart for oxygen intake, and a flexible spine for extended strides reaching 25 feet.
Unlike other big cats, cheetahs can’t roar – they purr, hiss, and make bird-like chirps. Their distinctive tear marks help reflect sunlight and focus on prey. Tragically, only about 7,000 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.
2. Crocodile
Crocodiles (family Crocodylidae) are ancient reptiles dating back 95 million years. The massive saltwater crocodile can reach 23 feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds. Their powerful jaws exert 3,700 psi of pressure – the strongest bite of any animal.
These apex predators employ “death rolls” to dismember prey and can hold their breath underwater for over an hour. Surprisingly, crocodiles can climb trees and sometimes cry while eating (though this is simply fluid discharge, not emotional tears).
3. Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) share 98.7% of our DNA, making them our closest living relatives. These highly intelligent primates use tools like sticks to fish for termites, stones to crack nuts, and leaves as sponges. They live in complex social groups of 15-120 individuals.
Chimps demonstrate behaviors we associate with human culture – different groups develop unique tool-use traditions passed through generations. They can learn sign language and recognize themselves in mirrors, showing self-awareness. Sadly, they’re endangered due to habitat destruction.
4. Cougar (Mountain Lion)
The cougar (Puma concolor) holds the Guinness record for the animal with the most names – over 40 in English alone, including puma, panther, and mountain lion. These solitary cats have the largest range of any wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
Despite their size (adults weigh 100-220 lbs), cougars can leap 18 feet vertically and sprint up to 50 mph. They’re ambush predators that typically avoid humans, though conflicts increase as habitats overlap. Each cougar requires about 50 square miles of territory.
5. Capybara
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the world’s largest rodent, reaching 170 pounds. These semi-aquatic mammals inhabit South American wetlands and can stay submerged for five minutes. Their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers.
Highly social, capybaras live in groups of 10-20 and communicate through various vocalizations. They practice coprophagy (eating feces) to digest tough plant materials. Many animals, from birds to monkeys, use capybaras as lookout posts or transportation.
6. Cassowary
The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is often called the world’s most dangerous bird. These flightless giants stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh 130 pounds. Their dagger-like inner claws can reach 5 inches – used defensively with powerful kicks.
Cassowaries play crucial ecological roles as seed dispersers in Australian and New Guinean rainforests. Their striking blue and red necks and helmet-like casques (which may help amplify deep vocalizations) make them unmistakable. Only about 4,000 remain in the wild.
7. Chameleon
Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are famous for color-changing abilities used for communication and temperature regulation, not just camouflage. Their zygodactylous feet (two toes forward, two back) and prehensile tails make them superb climbers.
Their independently moving eyes provide 360° vision, and their projectile tongues can extend twice their body length in 0.07 seconds. The tiny Brookesia micra chameleon could fit on a match head, while Parson’s chameleon grows over 2 feet long.
8. Caribou (Reindeer)
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), called reindeer in Europe, are the only deer species where both sexes grow antlers. Their hooves change seasonally – spreading wide for snow support in winter, compact in summer. Some herds migrate over 3,000 miles annually.
Their noses warm incoming air before it reaches lungs, and ultraviolet vision helps spot predators in snowy landscapes. Caribou hair is hollow for insulation and buoyancy when swimming. Indigenous peoples have domesticated them for transportation and food for centuries.
9. Coral Snake
Coral snakes (Micrurus fulvius) are venomous New World elapids with distinctive red-yellow-black banding remembered by the rhyme “red on yellow kills a fellow.” Their neurotoxic venom is potent but they account for fewer than 1% of U.S. snakebites due to small mouths and reclusive nature.
These snakes spend most time buried in leaf litter or underground. When threatened, they hide their heads and wave their tails, which may mimic their brightly patterned heads to confuse predators. Some nonvenomous snakes mimic their coloration for protection.
10. Caiman
Caimans (subfamily Caimaninae) are smaller crocodilian relatives native to Central and South America. The black caiman can reach 16 feet, while the dwarf caiman barely exceeds 5 feet. Their transparent third eyelid protects vision while allowing underwater sight.
These important ecosystem engineers create “gator holes” that provide water for other species during droughts. Caimans communicate through infrasound below human hearing range. Their armored skin contains osteoderms (bony plates) for protection.
11. Colobus Monkey
Colobus monkeys (genus Colobus) are striking African primates with black-and-white fur and long, flowing tails. Their name means “mutilated” in Greek, referring to their vestigial thumbs. These arboreal monkeys can leap 50 feet between trees.
Their complex stomachs (like cows) allow digestion of tough leaves. Unlike most primates, colobus monkeys don’t have cheek pouches. Infants are born pure white, changing color at about 3 months. They live in hierarchical groups of 8-15 individuals.
12. Coati
Coatis (genus Nasua) are raccoon relatives with elongated snouts and ringed tails. Males are solitary while females live in bands of 15-30. Their flexible ankles rotate 180°, enabling headfirst tree descent. Omnivorous diets include fruit, insects, and small vertebrates.
These intelligent mammals use tools and have excellent memories for food locations. Coatis groom each other to strengthen social bonds and remove parasites. When threatened, bands form protective circles around young. They’re active both day and night.
13. Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish (order Sepiida) are marine mollusks with W-shaped pupils and the ability to rapidly change colors and textures for camouflage or communication. Their internal cuttlebone helps control buoyancy. These cephalopods have three hearts and blue-green blood from hemocyanin.
Their skin contains up to 200 chromatophores per square millimeter for color changes. Cuttlefish can hypnotize prey with pulsating color displays and solve complex mazes. The flamboyant cuttlefish walks along the seafloor and displays warning colors when threatened.
14. Crab
Crabs (infraorder Brachyura) are decapod crustaceans found worldwide in oceans, freshwater, and land. The Japanese spider crab has the largest leg span at 12 feet, while the pea crab measures just 0.3 inches. Their sideways walking comes from specialized joint anatomy.
Crabs demonstrate complex behaviors like tool use (carrying anemones for defense) and decoration (attaching camouflage materials). Some species migrate annually in spectacular mass movements. The coconut crab can crack open coconuts with its powerful claws.
15. Coyote
The coyote (Canis latrans) has dramatically expanded its range from western North America to most of the continent, even adapting to urban environments. These highly intelligent canids weigh 20-50 pounds and can run up to 40 mph. Their vocalizations include howls, yips, and barks.
Coyotes form strong pair bonds and both parents care for pups. They’re opportunistic omnivores with diets including rodents, fruit, and carrion. Urban coyotes often adjust their activity to avoid humans. Some have learned to watch traffic lights when crossing streets.
16. Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized wild cat named for its cloud-like spot patterns. These arboreal felines have the longest canine teeth relative to body size of any cat, and their ankles can rotate backward for exceptional climbing ability.
Found in Southeast Asian forests, they can hang upside down from branches using their long tails for balance. Solitary and secretive, little is known about their wild behavior. Their population has declined over 30% in recent decades due to habitat loss.
17. Caracal
The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a striking desert feline recognized by its long black ear tufts. These athletic cats can leap 10 feet vertically to catch birds in midair. Their name comes from Turkish for “black ear.” They’re found across Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.
Caracals are solitary and territorial, communicating through scent marking and vocalizations. Ancient Egyptians revered them, and some were even mummified. Today, they’re sometimes kept as exotic pets, though this is controversial.
18. Cuscus
Cuscuses (family Phalangeridae) are marsupials of New Guinea and Australia resembling monkey-like possums. Their prehensile tails and opposable thumbs make them excellent climbers. These nocturnal animals move slowly through rainforest canopies feeding on leaves and fruit.
Unlike most marsupials, some cuscus species can change their fur color from white to reddish as they age. They’re important seed dispersers in their ecosystems. Several species are threatened by hunting and habitat destruction.
19. Coelacanth
The coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) is a “living fossil” fish thought extinct for 66 million years until rediscovered in 1938. These deep-sea dwellers can reach 6.5 feet long and weigh 200 pounds. Their paired lobe fins move alternately like land animal legs.
Coelacanths give birth to live young after a gestation period of about three years. They have an electroreceptive rostral organ in their snouts used to detect prey. Only two known populations exist off Africa and Indonesia.
20. Curlew
Curlews (genus Numenius) are large migratory shorebirds with distinctive downcurved bills used to probe mud for invertebrates. The Eurasian curlew has the longest bill of any shorebird at 8.5 inches. Their haunting calls carry long distances across their coastal habitats.
These birds undertake incredible migrations – some traveling 15,000 miles annually between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Many species are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, with the slender-billed curlew possibly extinct.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide has explored numerous fascinating animals that start with C, from beloved domestic animals like cats and cows to extraordinary wild animals that start with C like cheetahs, crocodiles, and the curious coelacanth.
The diversity of creatures beginning with this letter showcases the incredible variety of life on Earth, each species uniquely adapted to its environment and lifestyle.
For readers interested in further exploration, consider researching animals starting with other letters to continue your zoological journey. The animal kingdom offers endless wonders waiting to be discovered.
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