Animal Names

Animals That Start With C (Curious Creature Insights)

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by Emily Wolfe

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Have you ever found yourself scratching your head, trying to think of animals that start with the letter ‘C’? It’s a surprisingly tricky task, isn’t it? From the majestic cheetah sprinting across the savannah to the humble caterpillar inching along a leaf, the animal kingdom is brimming with ‘C’ starters. 

But why does this matter, you ask? Well, it’s not just a fun alphabet game. Knowing about these creatures opens a window into diverse habitats and behaviors.

List Of Animals That Start With C

  • Cheetah
  • Chimpanzee
  • Capybara
  • Camel
  • Chameleon
  • Clownfish
  • Cobra
  • Crocodile
  • Coyote
  • Caracal
  • Cassowary
  • Coati
  • Cockatoo
  • Cuttlefish
  • Crane (bird)
  • Chipmunk
  • Caiman
  • Coral Snake
  • Coelacanth
  • Collared Peccary
  • Cuscus
  • Cicada
  • Cheetah
  • Capuchin Monkey
  • Coral
  • Clam
  • Cow
  • Crow
  • Cardinal (bird)
  • Catfish

Animals That Start With C (Fun Facts & Species Details)

1. Cheetah

Cheetah

Fun Fact: The cheetah is the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds up to 75 mph in short bursts covering distances up to 1,500 feet.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameAcinonyx jubatus
OriginAfrica, Iran
FamilyFelidae

2. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Fun Fact: Chimpanzees use tools more effectively than any other animal except humans, often using sticks to retrieve insects or leaves to soak up water.

DetailInformation
Scientific NamePan troglodytes
OriginCentral and West Africa
FamilyHominidae

3. Capybara

Capybara

Fun Fact: Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and can weigh up to 145 pounds.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameHydrochoerus hydrochaeris
OriginSouth America
FamilyCaviidae

4. Camel

Camel

Fun Fact: Camels have three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes to keep sand out of their eyes.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCamelus
OriginMiddle East, Central Asia
FamilyCamelidae

5. Chameleon

Chameleon

Fun Fact: Chameleons can move their eyes independently, allowing them to look in two different directions at the same time.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameChamaeleonidae
OriginAfrica, Madagascar, Southern Europe, Asia
FamilyChamaeleonidae

6. Clownfish

Clownfish

Fun Fact: Clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, where each protects the other from predators.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameAmphiprioninae
OriginIndian and Pacific Oceans
FamilyPomacentridae

7. Cobra

Cobra

Fun Fact: Some species of cobras can “spit” their venom as a defense mechanism, aiming for the eyes of their threat.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameNaja
OriginAfrica, Asia
FamilyElapidae

8. Crocodile

Crocodile

Fun Fact: Crocodiles have the strongest bite of any animal in the world, but their jaw muscles are so weak they can be held closed with just a rubber band.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCrocodylidae
OriginAfrica, Asia, the Americas, Australia
FamilyCrocodylidae

9. Coyote

Coyote

Fun Fact: Coyotes are very adaptable and have even been found living in urban areas.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCanis latrans
OriginNorth America
FamilyCanidae

10. Caracal

Caracal

Fun Fact: The caracal is known for its remarkable jumping ability and can leap up to 12 feet in the air to catch birds.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCaracal caracal
OriginAfrica, Middle East, Central Asia, India
FamilyFelidae

11. Cassowary

Fun Fact: Cassowaries are known for their powerful legs, which can kick with enough force to injure predators or even humans.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCasuarius
OriginNew Guinea, Northeastern Australia
FamilyCasuariidae

12. Coati

Fun Fact: Coatis, also known as coatimundis, have highly flexible snouts that can rotate up to 60 degrees in any direction.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameNasua
OriginSouth and Central America, Southwestern North America
FamilyProcyonidae

13. Cockatoo

Fun Fact: Cockatoos are known for their intelligence and can learn to mimic human speech.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCacatuidae
OriginAustralia, Indonesia, Philippines
FamilyCacatuidae

14. Cuttlefish

Fun Fact: Cuttlefish are masters of camouflage, able to change their skin color and texture in an instant to blend into their surroundings.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameSepiida
OriginGlobal in coastal waters
FamilySepiidae

15. Crane (bird)

Fun Fact: Cranes are known for their elaborate dances, which they use for courtship and to strengthen pair bonds.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameGruidae
OriginWorldwide, except South America and Antarctica
FamilyGruidae

16. Chipmunk

Fun Fact: Chipmunks have cheek pouches that they use to store and transport food.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameTamias
OriginNorth America, Asia
FamilySciuridae

17. Caiman

Fun Fact: Caimans are smaller relatives of alligators and crocodiles, with some species growing only up to 5 feet in length.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCaimaninae
OriginCentral and South America
FamilyAlligatoridae

18. Coral Snake

Fun Fact: Coral snakes are highly venomous, but they are shy and rarely bite unless provoked.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameMicrurus
OriginAmericas
FamilyElapidae

19. Coelacanth

Fun Fact: Coelacanths were thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameLatimeria
OriginIndian Ocean, Indonesia
FamilyLatimeriidae

20. Collared Peccary

Fun Fact: Collared peccaries, also known as javelinas, have a strong scent gland on their back which they use for marking territory and identification.

DetailInformation
Scientific NamePecari tajacu
OriginNorth and South America
FamilyTayassuidae

21. Cuscus

Fun Fact: Cuscuses are marsupials with a strong tail used for gripping branches, acting almost like a fifth limb.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameSpilocuscus
OriginAustralia, New Guinea
FamilyPhalangeridae

22. Cicada

Fun Fact: Cicadas are known for their loud calls. Some species can produce sounds louder than 100 decibels, equivalent to a chainsaw.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCicadidae
OriginWorldwide, except Antarctica
FamilyCicadidae

23. Cheetah

Fun Fact: Cheetahs are not only the fastest land animals but also have extraordinary acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameAcinonyx jubatus
OriginAfrica, Iran
FamilyFelidae

24. Capuchin Monkey

Fun Fact: Capuchin monkeys are considered one of the most intelligent New World monkey species, known for their use of tools in the wild.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCebinae
OriginCentral and South America
FamilyCebidae

25. Coral

Fun Fact: Corals are not plants but actually colonies of tiny animals called polyps, which can live for thousands of years.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameAnthozoa
OriginWorldwide in marine environments
FamilyMultiple families

26. Clam

Fun Fact: Some species of clams can live for over 100 years, making them one of the longest-living invertebrates.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameBivalvia
OriginWorldwide in marine and freshwater habitats
FamilyMultiple families

27. Cow

Fun Fact: Cows have a nearly 360-degree panoramic vision, allowing them to see predators from all angles.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameBos taurus
OriginDomesticated worldwide
FamilyBovidae

28. Crow

Fun Fact: Crows are highly intelligent birds, known for their problem-solving skills and ability to use tools.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCorvus
OriginWorldwide, except Antarctica
FamilyCorvidae

29. Cardinal (bird)

Fun Fact: Male cardinals are known for their bright red plumage and melodic songs, which they use to attract mates.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCardinalidae
OriginNorth and South America
FamilyCardinalidae

30. Catfish

Fun Fact: Catfish have taste buds all over their bodies, allowing them to taste and sense chemicals in the water, aiding in finding food.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameSiluriformes
OriginWorldwide in freshwater and coastal marine waters
FamilyMultiple families
About
Emily Wolfe

Emily is a lifelong animal lover and the founder of PETS CRAZIES. She started this blog after realizing the great need for quality pet information on the internet. Emily has two dogs, a cat, and two rabbits of her own.

She has a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University and is a professional writer specializing in the pet industry. Learn More About Our Team!