Animals are a major group of organisms, classified as the kingdom Animalia or Meta­zoa. In general they are multi­cellular, capable of locomotion, responsive to their environment, and feed by consuming other organisms. Their body plan becomes fixed as they develop, usually early on in their development as embryos, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on.

The word "animal" comes from the Latin word animal, of which animalia is the plural, and ultimately from anima, meaning vital breath or soul.

Characteristics

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Animals have several characteristics that set them apart from other living things. Animals are eukaryotic and usually multicellular (although see Myxozoa), which separates them from bacteria and most protists. They are heterotrophic, generally digesting food in an internal chamber, which separates them from plants and algae. They are also distinguished from plants, algae, and fungi by lacking cell walls.

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RT @BC_SPCA: Getting excited 4 "Angels for Animals" Gala Dinner at @ManteoResort ;4 Kelowna Branch Sat Nov 16th. http://tinyurl.com/yfbd2oz.
DAYLEE (Dale) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:11:58 -0000
RT @BC_SPCA: Getting excited 4 "Angels for Animals" Gala Dinner at @ManteoResort ;4 Kelowna Branch Sat Nov 16th. http://tinyurl.com/yfbd2oz.
@jen_talley Oh, the cloud animals are so cute!
OmegaMom (OmegaMom) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:11:47 -0000
@jen_talley Oh, the cloud animals are so cute!
3 Gorgeous Teacup Yorkie puppies Now - Los Angeles - Animals... http://tinyurl.com/yl62o3r
latoyao4n (Latoya Novak) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:11:30 -0000
3 Gorgeous Teacup Yorkie puppies Now - Los Angeles - Animals... http://tinyurl.com/yl62o3r
I wonder animals dream. My cat always twitches when he is asleep. I think he is having a bad dream...
AshRob1985 (Ashley Robinson) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:11:06 -0000
I wonder animals dream. My cat always twitches when he is asleep. I think he is having a bad dream...
Help Animals have a voice in the White House: http://tinyurl.com/yaumuh6
Liv__Well (Ryan Pugh- LivWell) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:10:58 -0000
Help Animals have a voice in the White House: http://tinyurl.com/yaumuh6
Our moods are language to our dogs and whle we can fool another human with lip service, we can never fool our animals!
FXMadeSimple (FXMadeSimple) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:10:58 -0000
Our moods are language to our dogs and whle we can fool another human with lip service, we can never fool our animals!

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