Animals are multicellular, living organisms in the animal kingdom. With the exception of a few invertebrates, all animals breathe oxygen, consume organic matter, can move, reproduce sexually, and have complex memories. All of these characteristics make animals distinct from each other. There are five classifications of animals, each with distinctive body structures.
The first class includes amphibians, Protected aquatic animals such as tadpoles and some fishes, which require protection from the water’s surface to survive; they are classified as terrestrial animals. Insectivores eat certain types of vegetation and animals, protocorms feed on the outside of other animals, scavengers eat dead animals, and omnivores eat both living and dead matter. Some have elaborate nervous systems, eyes, and sharp claws and teeth. All other animals are categorized as semi-arid or tropical animals, which live in rain forests, seas, lakes, ponds, and streams.
In order to be categorized as a vertebrate animal, all animals must move about by moving their limbs, mouth, and legs; however, in most cases, it is difficult to determine whether an animal is moving. Vertebrates do not have muscle tone; therefore, when researchers observe an animal’s limbs, muscles appear to be intact, even though the animal is not moving. In most cases, when the animal is observed while moving, the limbs appear to be breaking, but in some cases, when the animal is observed without moving its limbs, no muscle tone can be seen. This characteristic makes the animal known as hardy and capable of enduring minor injuries, at least physically. The lab has been a great source of inspiration for animal experiments.
The second category of animals is categorized as cetaceans, meaning whales and dolphins. Cetaceans are the largest members of the phylum Eutheria, meaning “water”. Many of the modern whales and dolphins were once considered wild animals. Biologists conduct various animal experiments on such species to determine their temperament, lifespan, feeding habits, ability to adapt to a variety of living conditions, reproductive capacity, and potential for disease.
In addition to studying the behavior and characteristics of aquatic animals, scientists also study their intelligence, physiological features, habits, and living preferences. Biologists study animal behavior such as hunting, territoriality, mating customs, and social interactions. They also study their physiological characteristics such as body size, color, diet, posture, locomotion, and hearing. They also study aquatic animals’ physiology such as reproduction, physiology and anatomy, and metabolism. Some of these studies may be part of a long-term study that may span many years. Examples of such long-term studies include the breeding program of a lake walleye in Lake Erie, the behavior of a damselfly in a controlled habitat, or the breeding habits of whales in captivity.
Animal research and laboratory work is used to understand the natural selection process, how an animal may survive in its native environment, and how they might be able to survive in an unnatural environment. The work performed in a lab not only benefits scientists and other professionals but also the general public. People who are interested in animals and in helping them are usually interested in the work performed in a lab. When people see animals thriving in their natural habitats they tend to want to help them. Lab work offers people the opportunity to help animals that may have been lost, abandoned, or neglected. The public relations that can occur from helping these animals helps promote better relationships between humans and animals.