| caiman |
a large reptile that is related to the crocodile and alligator. Caimans live in tropical areas of North and South America. |
| capybara |
a large, furry rodent that has no tail. Capybara live near rivers, lakes, or other watery areas in forests or grassy regions of South America. Capybara are related to guinea pigs, mice, and squirrels, but they are much larger. Despite their size, they eat only plants. |
| Caribbean |
a sea that is an extension of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by the West Indies and Central and South America. [1/3 definitions] |
| Caribbean Sea |
an extension of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by the West Indies and Central and South America. |
| Central America |
the piece of land that connects North America with South America. Central America has seven countries. |
| Chile |
a country in southern South America. Santiago is the capital of Chile. |
| chinchilla |
a small mammal from the mountains of South America. Chinchillas are rodents closely related to guinea pigs. They have very soft fur and live in tunnels called burrows. Sometimes they are kept as pets. |
| coati |
a small furry mammal with a long snout and a long ringed tail. Coatis are related to raccoons and live mainly in trees. They eat fruit and small animals such as lizards. They are found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. |
| Colombia |
a country in northern South America. Bogota is the capital of Colombia. |
| continent |
one of the earth's seven major areas of land. The continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. |
| coral snake |
a small, poisonous snake that has red, yellow, and black bands around its body. It is found in the southwestern part of the United States and in Central and South America. |
| cottontail |
a kind of rabbit that has brown or gray fur and a fluffy white tail. Cottontails live in North and South America. |
| cougar |
a common name for a puma, a large wild cat with tan fur. Cougars live in many parts of North and South America. They are carnivorous mammals. They are also called mountain lions or panthers. |
| dolphin |
a mammal that lives in the water. Dolphins look like large fish but they breathe air. They have teeth and a snout that looks like a beak. Most kinds of dolphins live in the ocean. A few kinds live in large rivers in Asia and South America. Dolphins are closely related to porpoises and other toothed whales. |
| Ecuador |
a country in western South America on the Pacific coast. Quito is the capital of Ecuador. |
| French Guiana |
a territory of France in northern South America, on the Atlantic coast. Cayenne is the capital city of French Guiana. |
| guinea pig |
a small mammal with short legs and no tail. Guinea pigs are rodents closely related to chinchillas and porcupines. Some science laboratories use guinea pigs for research and to test new medicines. Wild guinea pigs live in South America. [1/2 definitions] |
| guppy |
a small fish that lives in fresh water in South America and the West Indies. Guppies have bright colors and are often kept in aquariums. |
| Guyana |
a country in northern South America on the Atlantic coast. Guyana was known as British Guiana until its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Georgetown is the capital of Guyana. |
| iguana |
a large lizard found mostly in the warmer parts of Central and South America. Many iguanas have a ridge of spines down the middle of the back. Unlike other lizards, iguanas eat only plants. |
| jaguar |
a large mammal with short yellow fur and black rings. Jaguars are carnivores that hunt or fish for food. They live in the southern United States and Central and South America. Jaguars are closely related to lions, tigers, and other big cats. They are sometimes called panthers. |