elaimet

Eläimet, often written elaimet in texts that omit diacritics, is the Finnish term for animals, a broad group within the domain Eukaryota. Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that typically possess specialized tissues and organs. They reproduce sexually in many lineages, and their life cycles can be simple or complex. They generally lack rigid cell walls and display movement at some life stage.

Animals are classified in the kingdom Animalia, with major groups including invertebrates—such as insects, mollusks, crustaceans, annelids, and echinoderms—and vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The diversity of body plans, skeletons, and reproductive strategies ranges from simple, sessile forms to highly mobile species with complex nervous systems.

Animals inhabit nearly every habitat, from oceans and rivers to forests and deserts. They serve as consumers in food webs, acting as predators, prey, pollinators, and decomposers. Through these interactions, they influence nutrient cycles, energy flow, and ecosystem structure.

Humans interact with animals as sources of food, labor, companionship, and research subjects. Domestication and animal husbandry have shaped diets and economies, while wildlife observation and conservation reflect cultural values and scientific interests.

Conservation and ethics: Biodiversity of animals faces threats such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Conservation efforts aim to protect species and habitats, promote sustainable use, and address animal welfare in farming, research, and captivity.