NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

According to the definition provided, what is classified as an "animal"?

1. Only domesticated pets

2. Every living creature besides a human

3. Only wild animals

4. Only mammals

The correct answer is: Every living creature besides a human

The definition stating that an "animal" encompasses every living creature besides a human is grounded in biological classifications that recognize various forms of life. The term "animal" is broadly applied in the scientific community to include a diverse range of organisms from various classifications, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. This comprehensive definition emphasizes the unity of all non-human living beings, highlighting characteristics such as being multicellular, heterotrophic (consuming other organisms for energy), and typically possessing nervous systems. By defining animals in this expansive way, it becomes clear that the focus is on life forms sharing specific biological traits rather than limiting the term to a narrow subset, such as domesticated pets or specific types of wildlife. The other categories, like domesticated pets, wild animals, and mammals, represent subsets of the broader animal kingdom and are therefore not as inclusive in capturing the full scope of what constitutes an “animal.”