Java Polymorphism: Animal base class with Lion, Tiger, and Panther subclasses

Last update on February 19 2025 10:19:17 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Write a Java program to create a base class Animal with methods eat() and sound(). Create three subclasses: Lion, Tiger, and Panther. Override the eat() method in each subclass to describe what each animal eats. In addition, override the sound() method to make a specific sound for each animal.

Sample Solution:

Java Code:

// Animal.java
// Define the Animal class
class Animal {
  // Method for animal to eat
  public void eat() {
    // Print that the animal eats
    System.out.println("Animal eats.");
  }

  // Method for animal to make a sound
  public void sound() {
    // Print that the animal makes a sound
    System.out.println("Animal makes a sound.");
  }
}

// Lion.java
// Define the Lion class that extends Animal
class Lion extends Animal {
  // Override the eat method
  @Override
  public void eat() {
    // Print that the lion eats meat
    System.out.println("Lion eats meat.");
  }

  // Override the sound method
  @Override
  public void sound() {
    // Print that the lion roars
    System.out.println("Lion roars.");
  }
}

// Tiger.java
// Define the Tiger class that extends Animal
class Tiger extends Animal {
  // Override the eat method
  @Override
  public void eat() {
    // Print that the tiger eats meat and sometimes fish
    System.out.println("Tiger eats meat and sometimes fish.");
  }

  // Override the sound method
  @Override
  public void sound() {
    // Print that the tiger growls
    System.out.println("Tiger growls.");
  }
}

// Panther.java
// Define the Panther class that extends Animal
class Panther extends Animal {
  // Override the eat method
  @Override
  public void eat() {
    // Print that the panther eats meat and small mammals
    System.out.println("Panther eats meat and small mammals.");
  }

  // Override the sound method
  @Override
  public void sound() {
    // Print that the panther purrs and sometimes hisses
    System.out.println("Panther purrs and sometimes hisses.");
  }
}

// Main.java
// Define the Main class
public class Main {
  // Main method, program entry point
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    // Create an Animal reference to a Lion object
    Animal lion = new Lion();
    // Create an Animal reference to a Tiger object
    Animal tiger = new Tiger();
    // Create an Animal reference to a Panther object
    Animal panther = new Panther();

    // Call the eat method on the lion object
    lion.eat();
    // Call the sound method on the lion object
    lion.sound();

    // Call the eat method on the tiger object
    tiger.eat();
    // Call the sound method on the tiger object
    tiger.sound();

    // Call the eat method on the panther object
    panther.eat();
    // Call the sound method on the panther object
    panther.sound();
  }
}

Output:

Lion eats meat.
Lion roars.
Tiger eats meat and sometimes fish.
Tiger growls.
Panther eats meat and small mammals.
Panther purrs and sometimes hisses.

Explanation:

In the above exercise -

The "Animal" class is the base class and 'Lion', 'Tiger', and 'Panther' are its subclasses. Each subclass overrides the eat() method to describe what each animal eats and the sound() method to make a specific sound for each animal.
In the main() method, we create instances of Lion, Tiger, and Panther. We then call the eat() and sound() methods on these objects. Since these methods are overridden in the subclasses, the appropriate behavior for each animal will be displayed when we run the program.

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

Write a Java program where the "Animal" class categorizes animals based on their diet (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore).
Write a Java program where the "Animal" class allows animals to communicate with each other based on their sounds.
Write a Java program where the "Animal" class tracks daily food consumption.
Write a Java program where the "Animal" class supports hibernation behavior.

Java Code Editor:

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