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A key definition of an animal, as opposed
to a plant, is that most animals can move
voluntarily. Animals must also eat other living
things to survive. Let’s take a look at some of
the things animals do.
What is an animal?
Food is fuel
All animals have to find
and eat food to survive.
Carnivores are animals that
eat meat. Herbivores eat
mainly plants. Omnivores
are creatures that eat
both plants and meat.
What a nerve!
Animals have
nerves, which carry
information from their
sense organs. Most
animals have
brains to
monitor this
information. The
nerves also carry
orders from the
brain to the organs
and muscles – such as
instructions to stay still,
attack, or run away!
How many species of animal are there on Earth?
The living world
Squirrels eat seeds,
nuts, fruit, and fungi.
Bald eagle
Swimming:
animals
like fish swim by moving
their bodies and fins.
Slithering:
some snakes
wriggle, others raise and
flatten their bodies.
Reaching:
sea anemones
reach out their tentacles
to sting prey.
Walking and running:
many animals walk and
run using legs.
Flying:
birds fly by
flapping wings or gliding
on currents of hot air.
Getting around
Many animals have
muscles, which allow
them to move in a
variety of ways.
