What does a zoologist do?

1 Types of zoologists

Zoologists can specialize in different branches of zoology, depending on their interests and goals. For example, some zoologists focus on a specific group of animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, or insects. Others study a particular aspect of animal life, such as behavior, genetics, reproduction, nutrition, or diseases. Some zoologists also combine their knowledge of animals with other disciplines, such as ecology, conservation, education, or biotechnology.

3 Responsibilities and tasks

A zoologist's responsibilities and tasks can vary significantly depending on their specialization, employer, and project. Common activities may include designing and conducting experiments or surveys to collect data on animal characteristics, behavior, population, distribution, or interactions; writing reports and articles to present findings and recommendations; teaching or mentoring students or the public about animal topics or issues; collaborating with other scientists or professionals to plan and implement animal research or conservation programs; monitoring and caring for animals in captivity or in the wild; collecting and identifying animal specimens or samples; and using tools such as microscopes, cameras, GPS, or software to assist their research or documentation.

5 Career opportunities

As a zoologist, you can pursue various career paths, depending on your interests, skills, and qualifications. For instance, you can work as a professor or lecturer in a university or college, a consultant or analyst in a government agency or private company, a curator or educator in a zoo or aquarium, a curator or technician in a museum or natural history center, or a biologist or ranger in a wildlife park or conservation organization. Academic zoologists teach and supervise students on animal-related projects or courses; applied zoologists provide advice and solutions on animal-related issues; zoo and aquarium zoologists oversee and care for the animals; museum and natural history zoologists collect and preserve animal specimens; and wildlife and conservation zoologists monitor and protect animal populations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?