* Grow and develop: Just like children need food to grow, baby animals need it to develop into adults.
* Move and be active: Animals need energy from food to run, swim, fly, and do all the things they need to do in their daily lives.
* Repair and maintain their bodies: Animals need to constantly repair their cells and tissues, which requires nutrients from food.
* Stay warm: Some animals need to eat a lot of food to stay warm during cold weather.
* Reproduce: Animals need energy to produce eggs or give birth and to care for their young.
Here's how it works:
* Energy: Food contains energy stored in the form of chemical bonds. When animals digest food, they break these bonds and release the energy, which their bodies then use for all the activities mentioned above.
* Nutrients: Food also contains essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats. These nutrients are the building blocks for muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts.
In short, food is essential for animals to live, grow, and thrive!