Nice article!

IF and switches are a code smell as you pointed out

https://mcsee.medium.com/code-smell-36-switch-case-elseif-else-if-statements-73f0215abf2b

But the correct Solution (IMHO) is to use Polymorphism

Your solution violates Open/Closed Principle since we need to modify (not open) your method when a new animal arrives

Open for extension (new animal)

closed for modification (your method)

So. I will iterate it a bit further