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Higher order animals,

according to Australian State and Territory laws which regulate the scientific uses of animals, and to the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, which is incorporated into most State and Territory Animal Welfare legislation, include all mammals (but not human beings), birds, amphibians, reptiles, and in some cases, fish (bony or cartilaginous), octopus, squid, crab, lobster or crayfish (fresh and salt water). In the context of research, teaching and testing, higher order animals are also considered to include mammalian fetuses during the last half of pregnancy (i.e. an animal’s babies before they are born), the unhatched young of birds or reptiles during the last half of their development in the egg, and marsupial pouch young. This is because it is thought likely that animals in these stages of development might be able to experience pain and suffering. In comparison, lower order animals include some micro-organisms and non-vertebrate animals.