Any non-human living creature; animals in general (mammals, birds, fish, insects, etc.).
子どもたちは学校で動物について学んだ。
The children learned about animals at school.
動物を飼う前に責任を持てるかよく考えてください。
Before keeping an animal, think carefully about whether you can take responsibility.
研究者は新しい動物の種を発見したと発表した。
Researchers announced they had discovered a new animal species.
図鑑で動物の生態を調べるのが好きだ。
I like looking up animals' ecology in field guides.