A (23) | B (24) | C (45) | D (19) | E (25) | F (18) | G (15) | H (14) | I (14) | J (2) | K (2) | L (9) | M (15) | N (11) | O (10) | P (34) | Q (3) | R (22) | S (30) | T (14) | U (3) | V (9) | W (7) | Z (2)
Consumer

One that uses economic goods. For example, humans are consumers of coffee, seafood, and forest products such as wood. Also, an organism that gets its food by eating other organisms or parts of organic matter.

Contour feathers

The shorter feathers of a bird (not on the wings or tail) that define the bird's shape.

Courtship

All behavioral patterns leading to breeding or pair formation.

Crepuscular

Active mainly at dawn and dusk.

Crop

In many birds and insects, the enlarged part of the esophagus between the mouth and the stomach where food is stored before going to the stomach.

Crustacean

An animal that has a hard shell and lives in water. Crustaceans have hinged legs and bodies. Shrimps, crabs, and lobsters are all crustaceans.

Cryptic coloration

A pattern of colors that makes an animal hard to see. It may be a pattern that is similar to the background on which the animal lives, or one that seems to break up the animal's outline (also called <i>disruptive coloration</i>). The snake in this image is a good example of cryptic coloration.

Cud

The portion of food that is brought up into the mouth of a ruminating animal from its stomach. Cows, goats, and giraffes are some of the many animals that chew cud.

Cursorial

Having limbs adapted for running.