Birds and fish not animals?

[Teaorcoffee]

Why are birds and fish "not technically" animals? I thought all living orgasms .. er, I mean organisms were animals.

[phasmid]

Plants and trees are living things, but they are not animals.

[MumTee]

Hmmm, fish are cold blooded and have gills so they get their oxygen through water. Birds though.....still have all the same organs etc....maybe its just because they fly? Orgasms.....thats a different thread entirely! Are you doing homework or just pondering the mysteries of the universe?

[Teaorcoffee]

Just pondering the mysteries of the universe.

 

What is the definition of "animal" anyway?

Edited December 3, 2005 by Teaorcoffee

[Kathryn]

Just pondering the mysteries of the universe.

 

What is the definition of "animal" anyway?

I learned this in biology way back.

 

Animals are able to do the following:

Move

Excrete

Reproduce

 

And I'm sure there are three or four more but I can't remember.

[Malika]

1. An organised living being endowed with sensation and the power of voluntary motion, and also characterised by taking its food into an internal cavity or stomach for digestion; by giving carbonic acid to the air and taking oxygen in the process of respiration; and by increasing in motive power or active aggressive force with progress to maturity.

 

This is the definition by Biology on line, according to this birds should be animals and fish do take oxygene and reject carbonic acid but in water not in the air....

What a complexe question I always thought fish were animals???

I'll be looking for clues............

 

Malika.

[Malika]

This link seems to answer many questions in a simple way:

 

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/Animals/Animals.htm

 

HHmmm reptile fish and birds are included in the animal kingdom.

 

Malika.