This list includes 39 Small animals that start with C, from “Campbell’s dwarf hamster” to “Crested tit”. Many are common pets, small wild birds, or tiny mammals prized by hobbyists and educators.

Small animals that start with C are compact species whose adult size typically stays under about five kilograms. Many, like the Campbell’s dwarf hamster, appear as popular pets and often feature in children’s nature lessons.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Typical lifespan.

Common name: The name most people use when searching or labeling the species, helping you identify animals quickly.

Scientific name: The binomial Latin name that lets you find precise species information across guides and databases.

Habitat: A concise habitat phrase showing where each species lives so you can judge suitability or sighting chances.

Typical lifespan: Realistic adult lifespan ranges that help you plan care, expectations, or study timelines.

Small animals that start with C

NameScientific NameHabitatLifespan
Common shrewSorex araneusEurope, woodlands1–2 yrs
ChinchillaChinchilla lanigeraAndes, rocky slopes10–15 yrs
Common voleMicrotus arvalisEurope/Asia, grasslands1–2 yrs
Common pipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellusEurope, woodlands/urban3–6 yrs
Common frogRana temporariaEurope, ponds/woodlands5–10 yrs
Corn snakePantherophis guttatusSE USA, forests/fields10–20 yrs
Collared doveStreptopelia decaoctoEurasia/Africa, urban/woodland2–5 yrs
Crested geckoCorrelophus ciliatusNew Caledonia, forest10–15 yrs
CanarySerinus canariaMacaronesia, islands/woodland7–10 yrs
CockatielNymphicus hollandicusAustralia, scrub/woodland10–15 yrs
Common clownfishAmphiprion ocellarisIndo‑Pacific, coral reefs6–10 yrs
Common bluePolyommatus icarusEurope, grasslands0.05–0.15 yrs (weeks)
Common marmosetCallithrix jacchusBrazil, Atlantic forest12–16 yrs
Common wall lizardPodarcis muralisEurope, rocky/urban3–6 yrs
Common kingfisherAlcedo atthisEurasia/Africa, rivers/streams4–7 yrs
Convict cichlidAmatitlania nigrofasciataCentral America, freshwater5–8 yrs
Carolina wrenThryothorus ludovicianusSE USA, woodland/urban3–7 yrs
Crested titLophophanes cristatusEurope, coniferous forests6–8 yrs
Common ternSterna hirundoNorthern hemisphere, coasts/estuaries10–15 yrs
Common goldfishCarassius auratusAsia, freshwater/ponds5–15 yrs
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsEurope/Asia, woodlands/parks2–5 yrs
Campbell’s dwarf hamsterPhodopus campbelliCentral Asia, steppes1.5–3 yrs
Costa’s hummingbirdCalypte costaeSW USA/Mexico, deserts/chaparral3–8 yrs
Common lizardZootoca viviparaEurope/Asia, grasslands/woodlands3–6 yrs
Cane toadRhinella marinaCentral/South America, varied habitats5–10 yrs
CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixNorth America, forests/wetlands10–20 yrs
CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusSE USA, wetlands/rivers10–15 yrs
Common guillemotUria aalgeNorthern oceans, rocky cliffs7–20 yrs
Chestnut-backed chickadeePoecile rufescensW N America, coastal forests5–8 yrs
Common quailCoturnix coturnixEurope/Asia, grasslands1–3 yrs
Common pheasantPhasianus colchicusEurasia, farmland/woodland2–6 yrs
Common gullLarus canusNorthern hemisphere, coasts/urban10–20 yrs
Cooper’s hawkAccipiter cooperiiN America, woodlands/urban7–12 yrs
Common moleTalpa europaeaEurope, grasslands/woodlands1–3 yrs
Common starlingSturnus vulgarisEurope/Asia, urban/fields2–5 yrs
Common blackbirdTurdus merulaEurope/Asia, gardens/woodland2–10 yrs
Common waspVespula vulgarisWorldwide temperate, varied0.05–0.2 yrs (weeks–months)
Common goldcrestRegulus regulusEurope/Asia, forests2–3 yrs
Common skate excluded———

Descriptions

Common shrew
Tiny insectivore, 6–12 g adults, not kept as pet; notable for very high metabolism and frequent feeding.
Chinchilla
Soft-furred rodent, 400–800 g, commonly kept as a pet; notable for dense fur and needs dust baths.
Common vole
Small rodent, 20–50 g, rarely a pet; notable for fast breeding and major role in grassland food webs.
Common pipistrelle
Tiny bat, 4–8 g and 3–4 cm body, not a pet; notable for hunting insects at dusk using echolocation.
Common frog
Amphibian, 6–9 cm snout–vent length, not a typical pet; notable for seasonal breeding in ponds.
Corn snake
Nonvenomous snake, 120–180 cm, 500–1,500 g, commonly kept as a pet; notable for docile nature and colour morphs.
Collared dove
Small pigeon, 170–230 g and ~32 cm long, sometimes kept in aviaries; notable for expanding range into cities.
Crested gecko
Arboreal lizard, 8–16 cm total length, 20–60 g, popular pet; notable for adhesive toe pads and tail regeneration (variable).
Canary
Small songbird, 15–25 g and ~12 cm, very popular pet; notable for color-bred varieties and singing ability.
Cockatiel
Parrot, 80–120 g and ~30 cm, common pet bird; notable for crest displays and mimicry.
Common clownfish
Marine fish, 10–12 cm, ~30–100 g, popular aquarium fish; notable for symbiosis with sea anemones.
Common blue
Butterfly, wingspan 3–4 cm, not a pet; notable for bright blue males and short adult life span.
Common marmoset
Small primate, 300–500 g and ~20–30 cm, kept by specialists; notable for social groups and claw-like nails.
Common wall lizard
Small lizard, 15–20 cm total length, 5–20 g, sometimes kept in collections; notable for climbing walls and variable patterns.
Common kingfisher
Vivid bird, 34–41 g and 16–17 cm, not a pet; notable for plunge-diving to catch fish.
Convict cichlid
Freshwater fish, 10–15 cm, 50–150 g, common aquarium fish; notable for strong parental care.
Carolina wren
Small songbird, 13–20 g and 12–16 cm, not usually a pet; notable for loud vocalizations for its size.
Crested tit
Small bird, 6–8 g and ~11–12 cm, not a pet; notable for distinctive crest and acorn-storing behavior.
Common tern
Seabird, 100–130 g and 30–36 cm, not a pet; notable for agile fishing and long migrations.
Common goldfish
Domesticated fish, 10–30 cm and 100–1,500 g, very common pet; notable for many color and fin varieties.
Chaffinch
Small songbird, 18–29 g and 14–16 cm, sometimes kept in cages; notable for distinctive male plumage and song.
Campbell’s dwarf hamster
Small rodent, 20–50 g and ~8–9 cm, common pet; notable for active, burrowing behaviour.
Costa’s hummingbird
Tiny bird, 2–3 g and 7–9 cm, not a typical pet; notable for iridescent throat in males and hovering flight.
Common lizard
Small lizard, 12–20 cm total length, 3–15 g, sometimes kept by hobbyists; notable for viviparity (live young).
Cane toad
Large toad, 6–20 cm and 300–1,000 g, sometimes kept but invasive; notable for toxic parotoid glands.
Copperhead
Venomous snake, 60–100 cm and 400–1,500 g, not a pet for most; notable for heat-sensing pits and camouflage.
Cottonmouth
Venomous water snake, 60–120 cm and 500–2,000 g, rarely kept; notable for defensive gaping (white mouth).
Common guillemot
Seabird, 700–1,000 g and ~40–50 cm, not a pet; notable for dense colonies and diving to feed.
Chestnut-backed chickadee
Small bird, 9–12 g and ~12–14 cm, not a pet; notable for boldness at feeders and chestnut back.
Common quail
Small gamebird, 150–200 g and ~20–25 cm, sometimes kept; notable for ground-nesting and rapid flight.
Common pheasant
Gamebird, 900–1,400 g and 50–90 cm, kept for hunting; notable for sexual dimorphism and long tail in males.
Common gull
Medium gull, 300–450 g and ~40–45 cm, sometimes habituates to humans; notable for adaptable feeding.
Cooper’s hawk
Small raptor, 250–550 g and 35–50 cm, not a pet; notable for agility in forest hunting.
Common mole
Fossorial mammal, 70–130 g and ~12–17 cm, not a pet; notable for powerful digging and underground tunnels.
Common starling
Songbird, 70–100 g and 20–23 cm, sometimes kept; notable for murmurating flock formations.
Common blackbird
Songbird, 80–120 g and 23–29 cm, sometimes kept; notable for melodic song and adaptable diet.
Common wasp
Insect, ~10–20 mm and <1 g, not a pet; notable for social colonies and painful stings.
Common goldcrest
Tiny bird, 4–7 g and ~9 cm, not a pet; notable as Europe’s smallest bird with high metabolic rate.
Common skate excluded
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