Are Humans Animals? Exploring the Kingdom Animalia

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In summary, the conversation discusses the classification of humans in the Kingdom Animalia. It is clarified that humans are indeed considered animals because they possess all the characteristics of metazoa, such as being multicellular, heterotrophic, and mobile. Despite humans often considering themselves as superior beings, biologically they are classified as animals.
  • #1
Dremmer
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We're in the Kingdom Animalia, but are we animals? Or does the Animalia Kingdom include humans and animals?
 
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  • #2
http://kids.discovery.com/tell-me/animals/mammals/are-humans-considered-animals
 
  • #3
Scientific? Sure, see above
Everyday language? Usually not.

Oh, and to avoid a common misconception:
discovery.com said:
Scientists describe virtually everything that is alive as animal or plant. So, if you're not a plant then you are an animal!
This is wrong. There are multiple ways to classify all living species, but all involve more groups: There are species which are neither animals nor plants. See the graphs and lists at wikipedia for an introduction.
 
  • #4
animals are "metazoa": muilticellular eukaryote creatures with connective tissues. Bacteria and archea are not animals as they are single-celled. Furthermore, animals must be heterotrophic, which means they don't use carbon as part of their digestion process (this excludes plants). Fungi are also heterotrophic, but there's a further distinguishing feature of metazoa: they don't have cell walls. Finally, a cherry on top, animals are mobile: they can move around. I'm not sure how sponges fit into this, so maybe they're an exception, but their look-alike ancestors are also one of the first animals.

Humans conform to all of the classifications of metazoa, so yes, they are animals.
 
  • #5
Dunno about you, Dremmer, but I sure am. And a mammal, and even a primate at that. Woop woop!
 
  • #6
just look at basic characterstics common to members of kingdom Animalia. We satisfy all of them...
 
  • #7
Humans are quite anthropocentric, they usually consider themselves as a superior being, but we're biologically animals and should be considered animals at all biological circumstances.
 

1. Are humans considered animals?

Yes, humans are considered animals according to the classification system used in biology. Humans belong to the Kingdom Animalia, which includes all animals with a backbone.

2. How are humans classified in the animal kingdom?

Humans are classified as mammals in the animal kingdom. This means that they have certain characteristics, such as being warm-blooded, having hair or fur, and giving birth to live young.

3. What makes humans different from other animals?

Humans have several unique characteristics that set them apart from other animals. These include their ability to use language, create and use tools, and have complex social structures.

4. Can humans interbreed with other animals?

No, humans cannot interbreed with other animals. While some closely related species may be able to produce offspring, humans and other animals are too genetically different to successfully reproduce.

5. Are humans the most intelligent animals?

It is difficult to determine which animal is the most intelligent, as intelligence can vary greatly among different species and is difficult to measure. However, humans have a highly developed brain and have been able to create complex societies and technology, indicating a high level of intelligence.

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