An animal is a multicellular, eukaryotic organism belonging to the biological kingdom Animalia. Animals typically consume organic material, breathe oxygen, and are capable of movement in response to their environment. They feed themselves by eating plants or other animals and can be classified into various groups such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates

. There are millions of different animal species on Earth, ranging from tiny insects to large mammals like elephants and giraffes. Animals share common characteristics like the ability to move, consume food, and react to stimuli. They fit into specific categories based on their traits, such as mammals (which include primates, rodents, and sea mammals), birds (including songbirds and birds of prey), reptiles, amphibians, and many others

. Some well-known examples of animals include:

• Mammals: elephants, giraffes, dogs, cats, horses
• Birds: songbirds, water birds, flightless birds
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Insects and arachnids
• Marine animals like sharks and sea mammals

Animals play vital roles in ecosystems and human life, including companionship (pets like dogs and cats), agriculture (farm animals), and biodiversity

. In summary, an animal is a living organism characterized by multicellularity, heterotrophic nutrition, mobility, and complex biological structures, encompassing a vast diversity of species worldwide