Are humans actually an animal?

Question

I know classification wise, humans are an considered an animal. However, that is based off of certain characteristics and traits that make humans not a plant, algae, etc. But does this mean that a human is an animal by the term and definition that is used in everyday conversation? Is this saying that humans are an animal or a beast?

Answer 1

Like the commenter above noted, colloquially-speaking, we use "animal" to refer to "non-human animals". In the biological sense, however, humans are indeed animals just like any other animal you could point out or name off the top of your head.

Classifying organisms (naming them) is the study of taxonomy. Understanding how they are all related to one another (putting them all in a 'family tree', of sorts) is the study of phylogeny.

About 750 million years ago, the first animals evolved from earlier ancestors. These first animals were akin to sea sponges. Animals, from the simplest sea sponge to the biggest whale, share a number of characteristics, which I can elaborate upon further, if you wish.

Over the course of many million years of evolution, eventually a spinal column evolved in one group and gave rise to the vertebrates, or, anything with a spine (sharks, fishes, reptiles, birds, mammals). Thereafter, tetrapods, or "four-footed", animals evolved and made their way onto land, giving rise to the diversity of terrestrial animal life you see today.

We are a part of this group: of animals, vertebrates, tetrapods, and mammals (in order of most generic to most specific). To visualize our place among our primate brothers and sisters, and animal cousins, it might help you to use this tool:

https://www.onezoom.org/life.html

Answer 2

Yes, humans are classified as animals in the biological sense. In everyday conversation, when people use the term "animal," they are typically referring to living organisms that are part of the kingdom Animalia, which includes a wide range of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with characteristics such as mobility, heterotrophy (obtaining food by consuming other organisms), and the absence of cell walls.

Therefore, when considering the scientific classification and characteristics, humans are indeed animals. However, it's important to note that in everyday language, the term "animal" is sometimes used more colloquially to refer to non-human animals, making a distinction between humans and other creatures. The use of the term "beast" may carry connotations of wild or untamed behavior, but scientifically and biologically, humans fall within the category of animals