Animals

Carnosaur (Carnosauria): large predatory theropods of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Carnosaur Carnosauria (carnosaurs) are a clade of large theropod dinosaurs including Allosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus; known for open skulls, robust arms, and roles as apex predators in Ju…

Carnotaurus: the horned abelisaurid of Late Cretaceous South America Carnotaurus Carnotaurus, a distinctive horned theropod from Late Cretaceous Patagonia, is known from a nearly complete skeleton and skin impressions; it illuminates Gondwanan predator evolutio…

Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) — extinct North American parrot Carolina parakeet The Carolina parakeet was the only parrot species native to the eastern United States. Extinct by the early 20th century, it is remembered for vivid plumage, social flocks, and les…

Carp: biology, cultural role, and impacts of a widespread freshwater fish Carp An overview of carp (family Cyprinidae): appearance, life cycle, cultural importance in Europe and Asia, ornamental varieties, and ecological issues where carp are invasive.

Carrion beetle (Silphidae): scavengers, burying beetles and their ecological role Carrion beetle Carrion beetles (family Silphidae) are necrophagous beetles including burying beetles. They consume and recycle animal remains, show varied life histories and parental care, and ha…

Carrion crow (Corvus corone) Carrion crow A medium-sized, all-black crow native to much of western Europe and parts of East Asia. Omnivorous scavenger, adaptable to towns and countryside; IUCN status: Least Concern.

Casineria: an early tetrapod near the origin of amniotes Casineria Casineria, a small Mississippian tetrapod from what is now Scotland, shows a mix of primitive amphibian and advanced amniote traits and is important for understanding the transitio…

Cassowary: the large, flightless rainforest bird Cassowary Cassowaries are large, flightless ratites of the genus Casuarius native to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Noted for their casque, strong legs and seed-dispersing role, they…

Castoreum: beaver scent secretion used in perfumery, flavoring, and trapping Castoreum Castoreum is an aromatic secretion from beaver castor sacs used for territorial marking and historically in perfumery, flavoring and trapping. Modern use is rare and often replaced…

Castoridae: the beaver family Castoridae Castoridae, the beaver family, includes the living genus Castor (North American and Eurasian beavers) and about twenty extinct genera. Large semiaquatic rodents adapted for gnawing…

Castorocauda: Jurassic semi‑aquatic mammaliaform of the Docodonta Castorocauda Castorocauda, a Jurassic mammaliaform from the Daohugou Beds of Inner Mongolia, shows early semi‑aquatic adaptations, fur, and dental specializations that illuminate mammal evoluti…

Cat (domestic cat) — Felis catus: overview, traits, history, and roles Cat An accessible encyclopedic overview of the domestic cat (Felis catus): its biology, behaviour, history of domestication, common roles, breeds and distinctions from wild felids.

Cat righting reflex: how and why cats land on their feet Cat righting reflex Overview of the cat righting reflex, its mechanics, development, role in falls, limitations and notable studies with practical implications for cat safety.

Catahoula Leopard Dog American working breed from Louisiana, noted for its spotted or merle coat, variable eye color, high energy and versatility as a herding, hunting and farm dog. Requires firm traini…

Catarrhini: the Old World monkeys and apes Catarrhini Catarrhini are the Old World monkeys and apes, a major primate group native to Africa and Asia characterized by downward-facing nostrils, a shared dental formula, and many shared a…

Caterpillar — the larval stage of butterflies and moths Caterpillar Caterpillars are the soft-bodied larval stage of butterflies and moths. This article explains their appearance, life cycle, diet, defenses, ecological role and interactions with pe…

Catfish (Siluriformes): biology, diversity, and human uses Catfish Catfish are a diverse order of mainly freshwater fishes (Siluriformes) known for their barbels, varied sizes and ecologies, and importance in aquaculture, fisheries and aquaria wor…

Catopuma: genus of small Asian forest cats Catopuma Catopuma is a small genus of Southeast Asian forest felids that includes the bay cat and Asian golden cat. Taxonomy has shifted with genetic studies; both species face habitat thre…

Cattle: Domesticated Bovines — Biology, History, and Uses Cattle An overview of cattle: their biology, taxonomy, behavior, history of domestication, major uses, breed distinctions, and their role in agriculture and culture.

Cattle egret: a widespread heron that follows livestock Cattle egret A compact, white heron (Bubulcus ibis) known for feeding beside cattle and other large mammals. Cosmopolitan distribution, colonial nesting, breeding plumes, and both beneficial an…

Caudipteryx — a small feathered oviraptorosaur Caudipteryx Small Early Cretaceous oviraptorosaur from northeastern China with bird-like feathers and short forelimbs; key fossil linking non-avian dinosaurs and birds.

Night adders (subfamily Causinae): overview, biology, and interactions Causinae Causinae, the night adders, are a small group of African vipers (genus Causus) known for daytime activity, egg-laying, amphibian diet, and generally mild but venomous bites. Overvi…

CC (cat) — the first cloned pet CC (cat) CC (CopyCat), a brown tabby-and-white domestic shorthair born in 2001, was the first successfully cloned pet and an early example of the scientific and ethical issues around animal…

Cedarosaurus (Early Cretaceous brachiosaurid) Cedarosaurus Cedarosaurus is a genus of brachiosaurid sauropod from the Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation of Utah, known from a partial skeleton discovered in the late 1990s.

Celestus (galliwasps) — Caribbean diploglossid lizards Celestus Celestus is a genus of diploglossid lizards known as galliwasps, native mainly to the Caribbean and nearby regions, noted for secretive habits, island endemism, and conservation co…

Celestus fowleri — Jamaican galliwasp (overview and conservation) Celestus fowleri Celestus fowleri is a secretive lizard species endemic to Jamaica, a member of the anguine group known as galliwasps. This article summarizes its identity, habitat, ecology, and co…

Celestus microblepharis — a Jamaican galliwasp species Celestus microblepharis An overview of Celestus microblepharis, a lizard species endemic to Jamaica; covers identification, habitat, taxonomy, and conservation notes.

Warren's Galliwasp (Celestus warreni): Description, Habitat, Diet, and Conservation Celestus warreni Warren's galliwasp (Celestus warreni) is a large, ground-dwelling lizard native to Hispaniola. Explore its description, leaf‑litter forest habitat, nocturnal diet, behavior, and co…

Centipede Centipedes (class Chilopoda) are elongated, many-legged predators found worldwide. This article covers their anatomy, behavior, ecology, relationship to millipedes, and interaction…

Centrarchidae (Sunfish): freshwater bass, bluegill, crappies and allies Centrarchidae Centrarchidae, commonly called sunfish, are a North American family of freshwater ray-finned fish including bass, bluegills and crappies; valued by anglers and notable for their ne…

Centroleninae — the glass frog subfamily Centroleninae Centroleninae is a subfamily of glass frogs (family Centrolenidae) composed of nine genera. These small arboreal frogs are noted for translucent undersides, streamside breeding, an…

Centrosaurus — horned ceratopsian of the Late Cretaceous Centrosaurus Centrosaurus is a genus of horned, herbivorous ceratopsian from the Late Cretaceous of western Canada, known for abundant fossils and large mass-death bonebeds that indicate gregar…

Cephalaspis — early armored jawless fish of the Devonian Cephalaspis Cephalaspis is a genus of armored, jawless vertebrates (osteostracans) from Early Devonian freshwater and nearshore environments. Its head shield and sensory systems illuminate ear…

Cephalocarida: the horseshoe shrimps — basal, benthic crustaceans Cephalocarida Cephalocarida are a small class of tiny, eyeless, sediment-dwelling crustaceans (horseshoe shrimps). All known species form one family and are regarded as basal among crustaceans w…

Cephalopod (Cephalopoda): biology, evolution, behavior and human uses Cephalopod Cephalopods are a diverse class of marine molluscs—octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus—known for intelligence, camouflage, jet propulsion and a rich fossil record including amm…

Cerapoda Cerapod Cerapoda is a clade of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs noted for dental specializations and including ornithopods, pachycephalosaurs and ceratopsians.

Cerastes (Horned Vipers): Desert vipers of North Africa and the Middle East Cerastes Cerastes is a small genus of desert-dwelling vipers, often called horned or sand vipers. They are ambush predators uniquely adapted to sandy habitats and include three closely rela…

Ceratophryinae — South American horned frogs Ceratophryinae Subfamily of robust, large-mouthed frogs native to South America, known for their ambush feeding, distinctive cranial ornamentation, and a fossil record that hints at ancient Gondw…

Ceratopsia — the horned dinosaurs Ceratopsia Ceratopsia is a clade of beaked, herbivorous dinosaurs best known for horns and neck frills. They originated in the Jurassic and diversified in the Cretaceous across Asia and North…

Ceratopsidae: the horned dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous Ceratopsidae Ceratopsidae is the family of horned, frilled, quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous, best known from Triceratops and related genera, primarily in western Nort…

Ceratosauria: overview of an early-diverging group of theropod dinosaurs Ceratosauria Ceratosauria are a clade of theropod dinosaurs defined by closer kinship to Ceratosaurus than to birds. They include diverse forms from the Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous, nota…

Ceratosaurus: horned theropod of the Late Jurassic Ceratosaurus A medium-sized, horned theropod from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, Ceratosaurus is notable for its nasal horn, small dorsal osteoderms, and distinct place among ceratosauri…

Cercopithecinae: the cheek‑pouched Old World monkeys Cercopithecinae Cercopithecinae are a subfamily of Old World monkeys — about 12 genera and 70–75 species — including baboons, macaques and vervet monkeys, notable for cheek pouches and varied diet…

Cercopithecus (guenons): African forest monkeys Cercopithecus Cercopithecus, commonly called guenons, is a genus of Old World monkeys native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are mostly forest dwellers, often brightly marked, and many species face…

Ceriantharia — tube-dwelling anemones Ceriantharia Ceriantharia, commonly called tube-dwelling anemones, are a group of anthozoans that live in soft sediments and build protective tubes. About 100 species are described, mostly in s…

Cetacea — whales, dolphins and porpoises Cetacea Cetacea is the mammal order that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are fully adapted to aquatic life, evolved from terrestrial ungulates, and play key ecological and cu…

Cetartiodactyla: whales, dolphins and even-toed ungulates Cetartiodactyla Cetartiodactyla is a modern grouping that unites cetaceans (whales, dolphins) with even-toed ungulates, reflecting evolutionary, anatomical and genetic evidence linking these mamma…

Cetiosauriscus — a Middle Jurassic sauropod from the Oxford Clay Cetiosauriscus Cetiosauriscus is a sauropod from the Middle Jurassic Oxford Clay of England. Discovered in 1898 and once confused with Cetiosaurus, it is known from partial remains and has an unc…