Animal

An organism that is scientifically defined as one that is capable of moving itself, reproducing with others of its species, and often possesses some level of thought. When people say "animals", they often exclude humans although they are also in the animal kingdom. Animals can play a significant role in fiction, let it be in whole franchises surrounding them and only them or shorter stories like episodes of a TV show. Depending on the context of a story, animals as a whole, a select group of species, or only one species can be the main focus. Each species has its own typical portrayal in fiction, especially when Animals Actually Are People Too.

Different roles have different opinions on animals. Most are neutral towards them while some exist solely because of their relationship with them. The Animal Lover, for one, is a role who can go to great extents to watch over and protect animals they encounter. More extreme instances of the role may grow hostile towards those who fail to treat animals with respect, namely the Animal Hater, a role who casually neglects, abuses, or kills animals. Animal Haters make most of their appearances in the Save the Animals plot where they are Petty Evil antagonists of the story that the Main Cast must fight in order to protect the targeted animals. The Hunter is someone who goes out into the wild and strategically kills animals either for sport or survival. If hunting is considered wrong by the current plot, the Hunter might be a low-class country hick who mindlessly kills animals to do his job as the Super Evil Bad Guy. The Fisherman is a related role focused on hunting fish. He is more rarely portrayed as the Villain than the Hunter for his acts regarding fish. The Veterinarian is the Doctor but for animals. If they aren't part of the Main Cast, they only appear when the Main Cast has a pet or wild animal who needs medical treatment. If someone is liked by animals (normally songbirds, rodents, and deer), they're just about always a good person. This rule largely goes for the the Nature Girl, Casper, and Gentle Giant, with the two latter roles being feared by others simply for their appearances although they mean the ones around them no harm. There are also cases of animals being a person's only friend.

Ant
Common wingless insects who live in complex tunnels underground. They search for food to bring back to their subterranean homes, sometimes to serve their queen. Ants march in single-file lines when on the hunt and cooperate to carry their finds back home. They wouldn't mind ruining whole picnics for their own survival. This is one of the reasons they're considered pests by humans. If they can smell food in a home, ants will invade it to take what they can. Like bees, ants can put their bodies together to construct whole objects or body parts like heads or hands. The difference is unless what they make can fly, their formation will not be airborne.

Bat
Uncommon two-legged flying mammals. They live in caves where they sleep in great numbers during daytime hours. They will often fly at — but rarely ever attack attack — anyone who enters their domain. Bats are one of the animal Holiday Characters of Halloween, along with black cats, owls, and corvids. A vampire might be seen transforming into one of these.

Bear
Uncommon four-legged mammals who can typically stand and walk on their hind legs. They're most often found in forests where they search for honey to eat and nearby picnics and camping outings to ruin. Not counting pandas or polar bears, the most common species of bear in fiction is the brown bear. As large, intimidating predators, bears are often mindlessly aggressive beasts who attack and maul humans for no reason, which is a mostly inaccurate characteristic in comparison to real-life bears. These animals are excellent tree climbers, which makes them almost inescapable for any humans they may be chasing. Mother bears, often called "mama bears", are extremely protective of their young, an attribute that fiction takes from real life very well. Anyone who encounters a mama bear defending her babies would know better than to take her on. When fall begins to wind down and give way to winter, bears gather food and prepare to hibernate in their dens. Being large and bulky, bears are oftentimes symbolic of strength.

Bee
Mildly uncommon flying insect that enjoys collecting pollen from flowers. When left alone, the bee is a peaceful worker who lives in nests with thousands of its fellow pollinators. They all serve one queen who births more bees in the walls of her nest. If someone disturbs their home, bees will band together to fight the enemy. Animated bees can create complex formations like hands, weapons, or Minis' Megas. This is an attribute shared with the other chief eusocial insect in fiction, the ant. The bee is greatly feared for its sharp stinging attack that may carry venom on the tip. Someone who has been savagely Dog Piled by a swarm of bees will have the giant red sting spots to prove it. Oftentimes, a bee does not need to be provoked to strike with its stinger. Bees are a symbol of springtime, especially shortly after the winter has receded and flowers begin blooming.

Cat
Four-legged mammals who are common pets owned by humans. They're one of the two most popular choices for a pet by humans, with the other being the dog. Cats and dogs are common rivals in fiction, which spawned the Dog v Cat UnTrash. Cats are one of the lazier animals in fictions as they can normally be seen statically lying down somewhere or completely asleep. They are typical predators of mice, rats, birds, and fish, which can prove to be troublesome for animals less able to escape a cat's attack in time. Cats are said to have nine lives and always land on their paws because of how gracefully they move. These sayings may actually apply in certain franchises. A cat's favorite activities include batting at strings or balls of yarn, clawing up furniture into useless bits, and climbing and subsequently getting stuck in trees. If a person is liked by a cat, it may rub its head on them while purring. If not, the cat will hiss and, if the person draws too close, scratch them with its claws.

Crocodilians
Rare and occasionally topical reptiles feared for their mighty jaws and life-ending bites. Crocodiles and alligators (collectively crocodilians) are parallel in ability, habitat, and ferociousness. They're likely to exist in large groups, though some crocodilians may lurk solo. When prey is spotted, they snap their toothy mouths at it as a warning to stay on its toes and keep off their grounds. Crocodilians make their homes in swamps, rivers, African watering holes, and jungles.

Dog
Four-legged mammals that humans hold as one of two popular options for a pet, the other being the cat. Because of this, dogs and cats are often portrayed as enemies. Dogs are popular for many reasons, such as their loyalty, the number of skills they can be trained like guarding or police work, their various breeds, and their looks. The dog was the first animal humans domesticated, earning it the title "man's best friend". The typical behaviors of dogs consist of chasing mailmen, chasing their own tails, chasing cars, chasing squirrels, chasing cats, sniffing other dogs, digging holes in backyards, humping anything, giving people they like their idea of a Big Kiss, and using aptly-named puppy eyes to emotionally manipulate others. Dogs can be found chewing on bones and sticks, as well as shoes, furniture, and anything else their owners would miss if it ever so happened to get caught in a canine's jaws. This is a more recurrent issue in the Misbehaving Pet plot, but new or hyperactive family dogs can be problematic here too. Dog owners play games with their favorite pets like fetch and Tug Of War at home or in the park. Popular dog tricks are given by the commands "sit" (the dog sits down), "stay" (the dog stays still), "roll over" (the dog does a full-body roll to one side), "shake" (the dog uses a paw like a hand in a shake with the owner), "heel" (the dog follows at the owner's side), and "play dead" (the dog flops over as if dead). Less obedient or understanding dogs will not follow these commands, instead performing the wrong command, scratching behind their ears, or do nothing.

Elephant
Topical four-legged mammals usually seen in zoos or savannas. Their most distinctive feature is their long trunks that they use for a variety of purposes. As is very widely known, elephants are the largest land animal on the planet. They're social and intelligent creatures who live in herds and protect their young from predators like lions and hyenas. They're said to never forget anything, though this is likely a myth. Fictional elephants may have a craving for peanuts and fear of mice.

Fox
Rare four-legged canines who can be found in forests. They are depicted as clever creatures who are masters of trickery, which is why many of them may take up the role of Deceiver in stories with anthropomorphic animals. Unlike wolves, foxes are wild canines who are not immediately hostile towards humans.

Frog
Rare four-legged amphibians who make their homes in swamps, ponds, jungles, and near rivers. Frogs sit on lily pads as they wait for an unfortunate fly to swing above head. They extend their very long tongues to eat and interact with far-away objects. Frogs are well known for their powerful jumping and excellent surface climbing abilities. At night, when they are the noisiest, they croak in great numbers. This is a sound most heard during the summer in rural areas or the frogs' homes. Some people, fictional or otherwise, are afraid of frogs for their weird eyes, mucus-covered bodies, and loud sounds.

Horse
Uncommon four-legged mammals that humans may use as transport, especially when mechanical vehicles aren't available. They calmly graze together in pastures on the farms or plains they live on. Horses primarily feed on grass and hay, but they also settle for fruits like apples. They can be fussy creatures at times, namely when a rookie rider boards one without knowing what they're doing. A horse may buck its rider off or kick them if they make it uncomfortable. Horses are the main attraction of horse race tracks where some viewers may bet on which runner they believe will win. In the olden day, horses were the only vehicle for people like Western settlers, cowboys, and archers. They were tied to leads to guide them similarly to dogs on leashes.

Human
The only common two-legged mammal in fiction. In stories where they are not the central species, they typically take up one of a few collective roles. One of these roles is being the greedy, expansionist destroyer of animal homes who will ruthlessly bulldoze habitats into the ground for malls, parking lots, amusement parks, or whatever other structure they wish to build to grow their empire. Another is a race of advanced creatures who exist in a technology-ridden world that made them forget the good, simple life. Humans 'N' Animals stories may depict humans as just another race in the world not too different from their animal neighbors.

Lion
Rare four-legged felines who live in savannas and jungles. The most dominant big cat in Africa, the lion has been nicknamed "the king of beasts". Lions live in large groups called prides that cooperate in hunts, protecting their young, and intimidating less powerful creatures like humans from even approaching. Zebras and ungulates (such as antelope, gazelle, and wildebeest) make for lions' favorite prey, but some may threaten to eat humans. The animal represents courage, power, or majesty in many parts of the world.

Monkey
Rare two-legged primates. They can be most easily found in jungles, but they also make appearances in tropical places and Middle East-like areas. Monkeys are famed for their craving bananas and may do whatever it takes to get their hands on their favorite fruit. They are playful and mischievous animals who snag humans' possessions before making off into a tree or other high-up object. Monkeys have talent in climbing trees, buildings, and other surfaces as well as using their prehensile tails (if present) as a fifth limb.

Mouse
Slightly uncommon four-legged rodents. Known to be a pest to humans in fiction and real life, they live in holes in the walls of humans' homes as they occasionally emerge to hunt for cheese. Mice are typical prey for cats, especially house cats that humans might keep around to catch and kill any intruding mice. Some humans may keep mice as pets like how they do hamsters and rabbits.

Owl
Rare nocturnal birds. They have distinctly large, round eyes helpful for absorbing as much nighttime light as possible and are famed for their uniquely silent flight. Owls are predatory residents of forests, especially creepy ones, and feed on mice and other neighboring rodents. They are thought of as wise birds and normally live up to this reputation in animal-centric stories.

Rabbit
Somewhat common four-legged rodents who live in forests and meadows. Like their less popular cousin the hare, rabbits possess long ears, big feet, and short, round tails. Rabbits crave carrots, which is not accurate to their real-life counterpart. They can also be kept as pets by humans as less basic alternatives to cats or dogs.

Rat
Somewhat uncommon four-legged rodents. They're the larger, more numerous cousins of mice who are a regular sight in dirty or low-quality areas such as Rough Cities or abandoned buildings. Rats are normally more aggressive than mice and may attack anyone who gets too close. If there are many rats nearby, they can all swarm one target and hopelessly outnumber it.

Shark
Rare, large fish who, if wild, exclusively live in the ocean. Along with bears, lions, and sometimes wolves, they are one of many Killing Machine animals that humans are deathly afraid of. If a human is lost at sea or a long way from safe land, it can be expected of sharks to circle their to-be prey with their dorsal fins poking through the water's surface. Aside from humans, sharks are great at hunting smaller fish and other sea creatures.

Snake
Rare amphibians who uniquely lack limbs. They travel by slithering across the ground with their long, winding bodies. They're known to swallow their meals like mice, rabbits, birds, and occasionally people whole, the victim's body sticking through the consumer's. Along with spiders, snakes are creatures humans fear greatly because of their creepy appearance and possibly venomous bite. Anthropomorphized snakes with the ability to speak often stress the sound on the letter S, taken from their hissing noises.

Spider
Uncommon arachnids that spin webs to catch prey. One of God's worst mistakes. Nobody is all that fond of spiders, which is the entire point of the previously referenced UnTrash. With their eight creeping legs, eight eyes of evil, and giant rears, spiders have rightfully earned the title of the most feared animal on Earth. In fiction, they use their webs as homes to trap mainly flies, though real-life spiders feed on a wider variety of insects, other spiders, amphibians, small reptiles, and even some birds and mammals. Spiders are a Holiday Character for Halloween.