What are the characteristics of an animal?

In the following slides, we'll explore the basic characteristics shared by all (or at least most) animals, from snails and zebras to mongooses and sea anemones: multicellularity, eukaryotic cell structure, specialized tissues, sexual reproduction, a blastula stage of development, motility, heterotrophy and possession of an advanced nervous system. read more

Animals are multicellular eukaryotic organisms that form the biological kingdom Animalia. With few exceptions, animals consume organic material, breathe oxygen, are able to move, reproduce sexually, and grow from a hollow sphere of cells, the blastula, during embryonic development. read more

The main characteristics of animals are sexual reproduction, eukaryotic cells, movement, multicellularity and heterotrophy. Animal cells are differentiated and organized into tissues, except in sponges. read more