What's the essential difference between human and animal? (Quora)

Humans are animals; hence, there are no substantive differences…

Some will say that what differentiates the most humans from other species is our conscience. I would personally say : it’s our level of conscious.

We have, of course, more in common with the species that are close to us; however, we should never forget that we share a part of our DNA with all other species.