Creature vs. Species: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on December 19, 2023
A creature is an individual living being, while a species is a group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
Difference Between Creature and Species
Creature and species are terms frequently used in biology and everyday language to describe living entities. A creature is a general term that can refer to any living being, from a microscopic bacterium to a massive whale. It implies individuality and singularity. On the other hand, species refers to a classification of living organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
In the animal kingdom, every single animal, whether it's a lion in the savannah or a fish in the ocean, is a creature. However, not all creatures belong to the same species. While all lions belong to the same species, they and the house cats are different species altogether. Here, each lion is a creature, but when referring to lions collectively based on their shared traits, we use the term species.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023
Creature can also be used in a more poetic or mythological sense to denote beings that may not exist in the natural world, such as dragons or unicorns. Species, however, is a strictly scientific term. It's used in taxonomy, the science of classifying living organisms, to categorize organisms based on evolutionary relationships.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
Another distinction lies in the specificity of the terms. The word creature is a broad, encompassing term. For instance, both a dog and a human are creatures, but they belong to different species. Species provides a specific criterion based on genetics, reproductive compatibility, and other factors to group organisms.
Nolan
Dec 19, 2023
Creature vs. Species Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual living being.
A group of living organisms sharing common traits and capable of interbreeding.
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Dec 19, 2023
Scope
Broad and can include any living entity.
Specific, referring to a classification in taxonomy.
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Dec 19, 2023
Use in Literature
Can be used to describe mythological entities.
Strictly scientific and not used for fictional beings.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
Taxonomic Level
Does not represent any taxonomic rank.
Represents a taxonomic rank in the hierarchy.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023
Creature vs. Species Definitions
◉Creature
A living being, especially an animal.
I saw a strange creature in the woods.
Levi
Sep 15, 2023
◉Species
A group of living organisms with similar traits that can interbreed.
The tiger is an endangered species.
Elijah
Sep 15, 2023
◉Creature
A being considered with respect to its kind.
Humans, as rational creatures, seek meaning.
William
Sep 15, 2023
◉Species
A specific difference or distinction.
It's a mineral of a very rare species.
Henry
Sep 15, 2023
◉Species
A particular kind, variety, or type.
This species of tree is found only in this region.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
◉Species
A natural kind of living organism.
The hummingbird is a unique species in the bird kingdom.
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Sep 15, 2023
◉Species
(Biology) A group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and are usually capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The species is the fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or subgenus. Species names are represented in binomial nomenclature by an uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun following a capitalized genus name, as in Ananas comosus, the pineapple, and Equus caballus, the horse.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Creature
A living being, especially an animal
land creatures.
microscopic creatures in a drop of water.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
(Logic) A class of individuals or objects grouped by virtue of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a division subordinate to a genus.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Species
(Chemistry) A set of atoms, molecules, ions, or other chemical entities that possess the same distinct characteristics with respect to a chemical process or measurement.
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May 03, 2023
◉Creature
An imaginary or fantastical being
mythological creatures.
a creature from outer space.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
A kind, variety, or type
"No species of performing artist is as self-critical as a dancer" (Susan Sontag).
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
The outward appearance or form of the Eucharistic elements that is retained after their consecration.
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May 03, 2023
◉Creature
An unidentified, mysterious, and often monstrous animal or being.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
A group of plants or animals having similar appearance.
This species of animal is unique to the area.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below genus; a taxon at that rank.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
(mineralogy) A mineral with a unique chemical formula whose crystals belong to a unique crystallographic system.
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May 03, 2023
◉Creature
Anything created; anything not self-existent; especially, any being created with life; an animal; a man.
He asked water, a creature so common and needful that it was against the law of nature to deny him.
God's first creature was light.
On earth, join, all ye creatures, to extolHim first, him last, him midst, and without end.
And most attractive is the fair resultOf thought, the creature of a polished mind.
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May 03, 2023
◉Creature
A human being, in pity, contempt, or endearment; as, a poor creature; a pretty creature.
The world hath not a sweeter creature.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
(obsolete) The image of something cast on a surface, or reflected from a surface, or refracted through a lens or telescope; a reflection.
I cast the species of the Sun onto a sheet of paper through a telescope.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Creature
A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; a servile dependent; an instrument; a tool.
A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen.
Both Charles himself and his creature, Laud.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
Visible or perceptible presentation; appearance; something perceived.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
(Christianity) Either of the two elements of the Eucharist after they have been consecrated.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Species
Coin, or coined silver, gold, or other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie.
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May 03, 2023
◉Creature
a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image.
Wit, . . . the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Species
A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
Coin, or coined silver, gold, or other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie.
There was, in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure.
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
a specific kind of something;
a species of molecule
a species of villainy
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May 03, 2023
◉Species
A basic category in the classification of organisms.
The species name for humans is Homo sapiens.
Jonathan
Sep 15, 2023
Creature vs. Species Frequently Asked Questions
Can creature be used for mythical beings?
Yes, creatures can refer to fictional or mythological beings.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
Does every creature belong to a species?
Yes, every real, living creature belongs to some species.
Lucas
Dec 19, 2023
What does creature encompass?
A creature encompasses any living being, from microbes to mammals.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
What's the significance of species in taxonomy?
Species is a basic unit in taxonomy, classifying organisms based on shared traits and reproductive compatibility.
Elijah
Dec 19, 2023
Are two animals of the same species always identical?
No, individuals within a species can have variations, but they share core genetic and reproductive traits.
Levi
Dec 19, 2023
Can species refer to a single individual?
No, species refers to a group of similar organisms, not a single individual.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023
Can one species evolve into another?
Over time and with enough changes, one species can evolve into a new species.
Jonathan
Dec 19, 2023
In mythology, are creatures classified into species?
Typically no, in mythology, creatures are individual beings without a strict taxonomic classification.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023
Can the term creature be used for plants?
While less common, creature can be used for plants, but it's often associated with animals.
Nolan
Dec 19, 2023
What's the main difference between a creature and species?
A creature is an individual living being, while a species is a classification of similar living organisms.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
