Which of the following categories best matches animals that rely heavily on human care for survival?

The category that best matches animals that rely heavily on human care for survival is domesticated animals. These animals have been bred and adapted over generations to live alongside humans, often depending on us for food, shelter, and protection. Domesticated species, such as dogs, cats, cattle, and chickens, have traits that allow them to thrive in human-controlled environments, and they typically cannot survive independently without human intervention.

In contrast, wild animals are adapted to live freely in their natural habitats and rely on their instincts and environments for survival, thus not requiring human care. Exotic animals, while they may sometimes be cared for by humans, often still possess wild instincts and do not inherently depend on human care as a necessity for survival. Livestock are domesticated animals raised for food, fiber, or labor, but the term is more specific and does not encompass all animals that rely on humans. Therefore, domesticated is the most inclusive category regarding animals that need human care.