Zoologist what do they do

Job scope of a zoologist. Developing and overseeing research projects related to the study of animals Analysing the characteristics of certain animal populations and their behaviours Writing articles and reports related to their findings Collecting and analysing specimen and data from animals Educating the public on wildlife conservation and animal welfare Developing educational materials for the public in places such as zoos and aquariums Studying the impact that humans have on natural habitats and wildlife Serving as expert advisors on matters related to animal welfare Studying the original and development of species Studying the development of animal diseases Monitoring wildlife health and developing recovery plans when necessary.

How to become a zoologist. Earn a degree in zoology or a related field. Undertake internships or volunteer work. Go back to school for higher qualifications mid-career. Where do zoologists work? Zoos Aquariums Institutes of higher learning, such as universities Research laboratories Government agencies Environmental conservation groups Private research companies. How much do zoologists make? Skills required of a successful zoologist.

Observation skills: Zoologists spend much of their time observing animals and need excellent observation skills to ensure they note even minor details in relation to an animal's behaviour and habitat. Problem-solving skills: Zoologists often work with other professionals to determine ways in which they can make an animal's environment more conducive to its needs. They also work to find solutions to protect wildlife and animals from outside threats. Communication skills: Many zoologists write reports and research papers showing their studies and findings, and they can also communicate with other zoologists and related professionals in a way that is concise and clear.

Good communication skills for zoologists to possess include active listening, non-verbal communication, verbal communication and written communication skills.

Research skills: Zoologists often conduct extensive research in their line of work to better understand how animals interact in their environments and the impact that the environment and humans have on animals.

Research skills needed by zoologists include data collection, critical thinking, report writing, analysis and interviewing.

Critical thinking skills: Zoologists may come to conclusions from their research, experiments and scientific observations. These conclusions often support initiatives associated with animal preservation and can be crucial to organizations who work towards the preservation of species. Technological skills: Many zoologists use data management software and specialised scientific equipment during their studies and daily responsibilities. Strong familiarity with these technologies is essential for zoologists to be successful in their careers.

Interpersonal skills: Zoologists often work on teams with other zoologists and wildlife professionals. They may be able to work in a group setting effectively and work towards a common goal with other wildlife professionals. Different specialisations of zoologists. Zoologists are biologists who study a variety of animal species. Those studies can include researching animal behaviors and characteristics, and how they interact with their ecosystems.

Zoologists may be involved in research, animal management, or education. Zoologists may specialize in a branch of the field that is concerned with a related group of animals, such as mammalogy mammals , herpetology reptiles , ichthyology fish , or ornithology birds. Zoologists may also specialize even further by concentrating on the study of a single species. The duties of a zoologist generally include the following:. Zoologists often work in conjunction with zookeepers , veterinarians , marine biologists , and wildlife biologists to properly manage animal populations in captivity and in the wild.

Zoologists may also take on keeper and curator roles in some zoological parks. The salary for zoologists may vary based on factors such as the type of employment, level of education completed, and duties required by their specific position. Zoologists with graduate degrees or with specialized knowledge tend to earn higher salaries in the field. Source: U. Bureau of Labor Statistics , Zoologists must have at least a bachelor's degree to enter the profession. Graduate-level degrees, such as a master's or a Ph.

The major for an aspiring zoologist is usually biology, zoology, or a closely related field. Many undergraduates earn their initial bachelor's degree in biology before focusing on zoology during their graduate-level studies. Many work in a lab-based environment, studying certain biological aspects of animals.

Others may work as professors at universities and colleges, teaching, researching, and writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles. There are many different types of zoologists, identified by the type of species they study or their area of specialization. The following are a few examples:. Ethologist Ethology is a rapidly growing field - it is a subset of zoology, and is simply the study of animal behaviour.

Every species of wildlife has certain patterns of behaviour that can be scientifically studied. Ethologists study animals in their natural habitat for example, Jane Goodall, who studied chimpanzees in the forests of Tanzania, is a famous ethologist.

Ethologists look at animal communication, animal aggression, as well as their mating habits. For many decades, the scientific community thought it understood animal culture, communication, and emotions. However, these areas of study have been re-examined, and new conclusions have been reached. New areas of study have emerged, such as neuroethology — a field that combines neurobiology the study of the nervous system and ethology the study of animal behaviour in natural conditions.

Primatologist Primatology is the branch of zoology that deals with primates, and primatologists study both living and extinct primates in order to understand specific aspects of their evolution and behaviour. Primates, in zoology, include gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and lemurs. There are three approaches in primatology: field study, laboratory study, and semi-free range study where a natural habitat is replicated in a captive setting. Field study is done in a natural environment, where primatologists watch primates in their natural habitat.

Laboratory study is done in a lab setting, where primatologists are able to perform controlled experiments on the behavioural patterns of the primates. In semi-free range studies, primates are watched to see how they might act in the wild but primatologists have easier access to them and also have the ability to control their environments.

Wildlife Biologist Wildlife biologists observe and study the behaviours of animals. They also look to maintain and conserve wildlife populations by keeping track of disease and nutrition, by planning and conducting population surveys, and by keeping track of endangered populations.

Many wildlife biologists go on to specialize in a particular area of study, such as entomology, ornithology, herpetology, or marine biology.

Wildlife biologists frequently observe the traits of certain wildlife and ascertain their roles in specific ecosystems. They also carry out a variety of experiments to either expand their knowledge about a certain species or to see whether or how humans impact the ecosystem being studied.

Paleozoologist Paleozoologists study both extinct and surviving animal remains, such as bone, horn, hair and soft tissues.

They are as much environmental biologists as they are zoologists. Paleozoologists work on archaeological sites with paleontologists and with paleoecologists, and will use the data taken from a study to try and define the ecology at the time the animal died. Paleozoologists will take the animal remains collected from an archaeological site and conduct research using microscopes, identification manuals, reference drawings, and archaeological literature.

Mammalogist A mammalogist only studies mammals. They study the mammals' natural history, taxonomy and systematics, their anatomy and physiology, as well as their behaviour, environment, actions, breeding and all around surroundings to gather any kind of information they can.

There are over 4, species of living mammals and many extinct species that a mammalogist could study. Scientists who enter this field can work in:. Zoologists and wildlife biologists work in offices, laboratories, or outdoors. Depending on their job, they may spend considerable time in the field gathering data and studying animals in their natural habitats.

Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 5 percent from to , slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 1, openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for zoologists and wildlife biologists. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of zoologists and wildlife biologists with similar occupations. They study the physical characteristics of animals, animal behaviors, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists perform a variety of scientific tests and experiments. For example, they take blood samples from animals to assess their nutrition levels, check animals for disease and parasites, and tag animals in order to track them.

Although the roles and abilities of zoologists and wildlife biologists often overlap, zoologists typically conduct scientific investigations and basic research on particular types of animals, such as birds or amphibians, whereas wildlife biologists are more likely to study specific ecosystems or animal populations, such as a particular at-risk species.

Wildlife biologists also do applied work, such as the conservation and management of wildlife populations. Zoologists and wildlife biologists use geographic information systems GIS , modeling software, and other computer programs to estimate wildlife populations and track the movements of animals.

They also use these computer programs to forecast the spread of invasive species or diseases, project changes in the availability of habitat, and assess other potential threats to wildlife. Zoologists and wildlife biologists conduct research for a variety of purposes. For example, many zoologists and wildlife biologists work to increase our knowledge and understanding of wildlife species.

Traditionally, many wildlife biologists researched ways to encourage abundant game animal populations to support recreational hunting and tourism. Today, many also work with public officials in conservation efforts that protect species from threats and help animal populations return to and remain at sustainable levels.

Most zoologists and wildlife biologists work on research teams with other scientists and technicians. For example, zoologists and wildlife biologists may work with environmental scientists and hydrologists to monitor water pollution and its effects on fish populations. Zoologists generally specialize first in either vertebrates or invertebrates and then in specific species. Following are some examples of specialization by species:. Other zoologists and wildlife biologists are identified by the aspects of zoology and wildlife biology they study, such as evolution and animal behavior.

Following are some examples:. Many people with a zoology and wildlife biology background become high school teachers or college or university professors. For more information, see the profiles on high school teachers and postsecondary teachers.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists held about 18, jobs in The largest employers of zoologists and wildlife biologists were as follows:. Zoologists and wildlife biologists work in offices, laboratories, and outdoors. Depending on their job and interests, they may spend considerable time in the field gathering data and studying animals in their natural habitats.

Other zoologists and wildlife biologists may spend very little time in the field. Fieldwork can require zoologists and wildlife biologists to travel to remote locations anywhere in the world. For example, cetologists studying whale populations may spend months at sea on a research ship.

Other zoologists and wildlife biologists may spend significant amounts of time in deserts or remote mountainous and woodland regions. The ability to travel and study nature firsthand is often viewed as a benefit of working in these occupations, but few modern amenities may be available to those who travel in remote areas.

Fieldwork can be physically demanding, and zoologists and wildlife biologists work in both warm and cold climates and in all types of weather.