Animals

Calf (young animal, leg muscle, and calfskin) Calf Calf: refers to juvenile mammals (commonly cattle), the muscles at the back of the lower leg in humans, and leather from young bovine hide; covers biology, anatomy, uses and relate…

Calico cat A calico cat has a distinctive tri-colour coat—white with orange and black patches. The pattern is independent of breed and arises from X-linked genetics and X-chromosome inactivat…

Calico sheep: multi‑colored coat phenotype in domestic sheep Calico sheep Calico sheep describe a multi-colored coat pattern found in several sheep breeds; it is a color phenotype resulting from genetic variation, not a distinct, widely recognized breed.

California condor The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is North America's largest land bird. A scavenger and conservation icon, it was brought back from near extinction through captive br…

California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) California giant salamander A large, robust salamander native to parts of the western United States, notable for its size, mottled coloration, aquatic larvae and role in stream ecosystems of California and ne…

California newt (Taricha torosa) California newt An overview of the California newt, Taricha torosa: appearance, life cycle, toxin and predators, range in California, ecological role and conservation concerns.

California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii) California red-legged frog A semi‑aquatic native frog of California and Baja California, the California red‑legged frog (Rana draytonii) is a protected member of the true frog family and a conservation prior…

Californosaurus: a Late Triassic ichthyosaur from California Californosaurus Californosaurus was a small, dolphin‑like ichthyosaur that lived in Late Triassic seas off what is now California. Fossils show a basal body plan adapted for fast swimming and aqua…

Calliostoma (top shells): description, distribution, and natural history Calliostoma Calliostoma is a widespread genus of marine top-shell gastropods known for conical, often colorful shells and a pearly aperture; found from shallow shores to deep seas worldwide.

Camarasaurus — a common Late Jurassic sauropod Camarasaurus Camarasaurus, a robust macronarian sauropod from the Morrison Formation, is known for its boxy skull, pneumatic vertebrae, several named species, and widespread Late Jurassic fossi…

Cambroraster (Cambroraster falcatus) — Cambrian stem-group arthropod Cambroraster Extinct Cambrian radiodont (stem-group arthropod) known from Burgess Shale fossils; notable for a broad horseshoe-shaped carapace and a round, spined oral cone adapted for sifting…

Camel (Camelus): species, adaptations, history, and human uses Camel A compact overview of camels: their biology, distinguishing species, evolutionary origin, adaptations for arid life, domestication, cultural importance and conservation concerns.

Camelid (family Camelidae) Camelid Camelids are even-toed ungulates in the family Camelidae, including camels, llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas — adapted to deserts, mountains and grasslands and valued for tran…

Camelops — extinct North American Pleistocene camel genus Camelops Camelops was a genus of camels native to North America during the Pleistocene. Fossils indicate large, long‑legged animals that lived from the Early Pleistocene to the end of the l…

Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) Campbell's dwarf hamster Small Central Asian rodent commonly kept as a pet. Overview of identification, behavior, origins, care, and distinctions from similar dwarf hamsters.

Camposaurus (Late Triassic neotheropod) Camposaurus Camposaurus is a fragmentarily known neotheropod dinosaur from the Late Triassic of North America (≈205–210 mya), considered closely related to Coelophysis and placed near the Coel…

Camptosaurus: Late Jurassic herbivorous ornithopod Camptosaurus Camptosaurus was a medium-sized, plant-eating ornithopod from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, notable for its beak, hundreds of teeth, and ability to walk on two or four legs…

Canada goose (Branta canadensis) Canada goose Large wild goose native to North America, recognized by its black head, white cheek patches and brownish body; adaptable, migratory, and increasingly common in urban and introduced…

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis): appearance, behavior, and conservation Canada lynx A concise overview of the Canada lynx: its appearance, habitat, diet centered on the snowshoe hare, life history, human uses and conservation status across North America.

Canadian Eskimo Dog (Qimmiq) Canadian Eskimo Dog A hardy Arctic sled and working dog of Inuit origin, the Canadian Eskimo Dog (qimmiq) has a long history as a transportation, hunting, and cultural companion in the Canadian Arctic…

Canary (Serinus canaria): overview, traits, history, and human uses Canary Small finch native to Macaronesia, widely kept and bred for song and color. Covers appearance, behavior, domestication, breeding, varieties, and cultural importance including 'cana…

Candiru: small parasitic catfishes of the Amazon Basin Candiru Candiru are slender, often translucent catfishes (family Trichomycteridae) from the Amazon Basin, best known as gill parasites of other fishes and for a persistent—but largely anec…

Cane Corso — Italian mastiff breed and guardian dog Cane Corso The Cane Corso is a large Italian mastiff historically bred for guarding, hunting and farm work. This article covers appearance, temperament, history, care, training and distinguis…

Cane toad (Rhinella marina) Cane toad Large Neotropical toad native to Central and South America, introduced widely; notable for its size, toxic skin secretions and major ecological impacts where invasive.

Canidae: the family of dogs, wolves, foxes and their relatives Canidae Canidae is the mammal family that includes domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes and jackals. This article summarizes their traits, classification, evolution, behavior, human relat…

Caniformia: the dog-like carnivores and their relatives Caniformia Caniformia is a suborder of Carnivora that includes dog-like mammals such as canids, bears, mustelids, seals and others; this article covers their traits, families, evolution, role…

Canine tooth Pointed teeth found in mammals used for grasping, tearing and display; covers anatomy, variation across species, evolution, human differences and dental considerations.

Canis (genus of dogs, wolves, coyotes and jackals) Canis Canis is a genus of medium-to-large canids that includes wolves, coyotes, jackals and the domestic dog; species vary by classification and are adapted for endurance hunting and soc…

Cannibalism in Animals: Causes, Types, and Ecological Roles Cannibalism in animals Cannibalism — consumption of conspecifics — occurs across many animal groups. This article explains forms, causes, ecological effects, and notable examples from insects to mammals.

Capensibufo — Cape toads of South Africa Capensibufo Capensibufo is a small genus of true toads endemic to South Africa's Western Cape, with two recognized species restricted to a narrow coastal-fynbos region between the Breede River…

Capra (genus): wild goats, ibexes and the domestic goat Capra (genus) Capra is a genus of goat-like bovids that includes wild species such as ibexes and the ancestor of the domestic goat; found mostly in mountainous regions and important to humans an…

Caprinae: goats, sheep and their relatives Caprinae Caprinae is the subfamily of Bovidae that includes sheep, goats and related wild species. Adapted to mountains and tundra, they are important ecologically and economically, with se…

Captivity (animal) The condition of animals kept under human control for use, care, study, or conservation, including pets, livestock, zoo animals and those held for rehabilitation or research.

Capuchin monkey Capuchin monkeys are intelligent New World primates from Central and South America, known for their dexterous tails, social groups, varied diet, and notable tool use; taxonomy divi…

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): the world's largest semi‑aquatic rodent Capybara An illustrated encyclopedia-style overview of the capybara: appearance, behaviour, habitat, relationships to other rodents, interactions with people, and conservation consideration…

Caracal (Caracal caracal) — medium-sized wild cat Caracal The caracal is a distinctive medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, noted for its tufted ears, powerful leap and versatile hunting skills.

Caracara Caracaras are a group of predatory birds in the falcon family, notable for their opportunistic feeding, terrestrial habits, and wide distribution across the Americas.

Carapace The carapace is the dorsal shell or upper section of the protective outer covering found in several animal groups, notably crustaceans, chelicerates and turtles. This article expla…

Carcharhinidae — the requiem sharks: overview, traits, ecology and status Carcharhinidae Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks) are a diverse family of warm‑water, live‑bearing sharks. This article summarizes their characteristics, distribution, diet, reproduction, taxonomy a…

Carcharhinus (requiem sharks): overview, traits, and conservation Carcharhinus Carcharhinus is a genus of requiem sharks found in warm seas worldwide. This article summarizes their identification, biology, ecological role, and conservation concerns.

Carcharodontosauridae — giant carnivorous theropod dinosaurs Carcharodontosauridae Carcharodontosauridae is a family of large carnivorous theropods from the mid–Late Cretaceous, known for blade-like teeth and some of the largest land predators. They were widespre…

Carcharodontosaurus: large Cretaceous predator of North Africa Carcharodontosaurus Carcharodontosaurus was a large carnivorous theropod from mid‑Cretaceous North Africa. This article covers its anatomy, fossil history, classification, paleobiology and significanc…

Cardinal (bird) Cardinals (family Cardinalidae) are a group of seed-eating passerine birds of the Americas, recognized for stout conical bills, strong songs, vivid male plumage, and species like t…

Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) Cardinal tetra A small, brightly colored South American freshwater tetra prized in aquaria for its continuous red stripe; peaceful, schooling, and associated with soft acidic blackwater habitats.

Cardiodon: Fragmentary Sauropod Genus of Uncertain Classification Cardiodon Cardiodon, a little-known sauropod genus known from fragmentary remains, is interpreted as a large quadrupedal herbivore whose precise classification and relationships remain uncer…

Carnivora: the mammal order of modern carnivores Carnivora Carnivora is an order of mammals that includes cats, dogs, bears, mustelids and pinnipeds. Members show diverse diets, specialised teeth and limbs, widespread habitats, and importa…

Carnivoramorpha Carnivoramorpha is the mammal clade that includes modern Carnivora and their close extinct relatives, defined by shared skull and tooth features and an evolutionary history distinc…

Carnivore: dietary category, adaptations, and ecological role Carnivore Comprehensive overview of carnivores: animals that consume animal tissue, their anatomical and behavioral adaptations, feeding categories (predator, scavenger, insectivore, piscivo…