3 Animals That End With the Letter C

In this article, we’ll explore animals whose names end with the letter C. Among all the diverse species in the world, only three have made it into this particular category: mollusc (though sometimes spelled mollusk), the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals, the tenrec which is native to Madagascar, and the muntjac that’s common in South and Southeast Asia. Below we’ll at pictures and interesting info about these animals.

1. Mollusc

Scientific Name: Mollusca

Molluscs are a diverse group of invertebrates with soft bodies, many of which are enclosed in hard shells. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from microscopic to the giant squid, and inhabit various habitats, including oceans, freshwater, and land. Characterized by a muscular foot, some have a mantle that secretes shells made of calcium carbonate.

Molluscs play significant roles in ecosystems and human economies, as food sources and in ecosystems as decomposers and prey. Notable species include the common garden snail, the edible oyster, and the colorful octopus. Molluscs are known for their remarkable adaptability, with some capable of camouflage and others producing ink as a defense mechanism.

2. Tenrec

Scientific Name: Tenrecidae

Tenrecs are a diverse group of small mammals found mainly in Madagascar, with a few species in parts of Africa. They are known for their varied appearances and sizes, resembling hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, and mice. Tenrecs can have spiny coats or soft fur, depending on the species.

Unique among mammals, some tenrecs communicate using stridulation, producing sounds by rubbing parts of their bodies together. They are primarily nocturnal, feeding on insects, worms, and other invertebrates.

Tenrecs have a varied reproductive strategy, with the Common tenrec (Tenrec ecaudatus) capable of giving birth to up to 32 young in a single litter, one of the largest litter sizes in any mammal. Their habitats range from rainforests to dry scrublands.

Well-known species include the Common tenrec, the Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi), and the aquatic Web-footed tenrec (Limnogale mergulus). Despite their low profile, tenrecs are fascinating creatures with a significant role in their ecosystems.

3. Muntjac

Scientific Name: Muntiacus

Muntjacs, also known as barking deer, are small to medium-sized deer characterized by their short antlers on males, which are usually shed annually, and their elongated canine teeth that can resemble tusks.

Known for their distinctive bark-like calls, used as alarms when threatened, muntjacs are predominantly solitary animals. They are primarily found in dense forests across South and Southeast Asia, with some species like the Reeves’s muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) also introduced to other regions, including Europe.

These deer are adaptable and able to live in a range of habitats from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands. They feed on a diet of grass, leaves, fruits, and shoots. Notable species include the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), known for being one of the smallest deer species, and the aforementioned Reeves’s muntjac. Despite their small size, muntjacs play a significant role in their ecosystems as prey for larger predators and as seed dispersers.