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 @HuffPostGreen: PHOTOS: Animals that help each other! nice! http://bit.ly/4x0dP3
almeyda64 (Annie Almeyda) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:29:21 -0000
RT @HuffPostGreen: PHOTOS: Animals that help each other! nice! http://bit.ly/4x0dP3
Roe of marine animals are excellent sources of omega 3s http://tinyurl.com/ye8npyz
jonaoki (Jon Aoki) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:29:20 -0000
Roe of marine animals are excellent sources of omega 3s http://tinyurl.com/ye8npyz
RT @wildwnc: Brave the temperatures and head over to the Nature Center to see how our animals are faring on this cold winter day!
SmithMillCreek (Jim) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:28:42 -0000
RT @wildwnc: Brave the temperatures and head over to the Nature Center to see how our animals are faring on this cold winter day!
Read Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood. gr8 story & provocative esp abt technology, environment & treatmt of animals
lisaohbehave (Lisa-Anne Manolius) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:28:38 -0000
Read Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood. gr8 story & provocative esp abt technology, environment & treatmt of animals
@cherylbinstock Ur work in helping ppl, animals & mother earth heal & realize their full potential takes off this year w/ gr8 success #MaMo
RachelLavern (Rachel Lavern) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:28:16 -0000
@cherylbinstock Ur work in helping ppl, animals & mother earth heal & realize their full potential takes off this year w/ gr8 success #MaMo
Animals, literally: Muslim clerics claim women pregnant up to four years http://bit.ly/935VDh #tcot
Bill_Dupray (Bill_Dupray) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:28:02 -0000
Animals, literally: Muslim clerics claim women pregnant up to four years http://bit.ly/935VDh #tcot

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