1. Multicellularity: All animals are made up of multiple cells, unlike single-celled organisms like bacteria or protists.
2. Heterotrophy: Animals obtain their energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms. They cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis like plants.
3. Movement: While some animals are sessile (permanently attached to a surface), all animals have the ability to move at some point in their life cycle. This can be through locomotion, growth, or internal movements like digestion.
It's important to note that there are some exceptions to these traits in certain groups. For example, some sponges lack true tissues and organs, and some animals are completely immobile as adults. However, these three characteristics broadly define the animal kingdom.