Zooligists are scientists who study animals. They study the way they live, how they interact with each other, and how they interact with their environment.
Zooligists can be found in a variety of fields, including wildlife conservation and management, research and development, education, or zoo management.
If you’re interested in becoming a zooligist, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree program in biology or zoology. You may also want to consider pursuing a master’s degree or PhD in zoology or wildlife science if you’d like to go into research or teach at the university level.
After graduating from college, you’ll need to find work as a researcher for government agencies or NGOs that deal with wildlife conservation issues such as habitat protection from development projects; endangered species conservation; sustainable use of natural resources (for example fishing); pest control; disease prevention/control; sustainable forestry management; invasive species management; pollution prevention/cleanup efforts; climate change mitigation/adaptation strategies (for example reducing greenhouse gas emissions).
You might also consider working at zoos where you could gain experience caring for animals while also learning more about them through observation and research opportunities provided by zoo keepers themselves!
How To Become A Zooligist
Zoology is a branch of biology that studies animal life. These professionals examine behaviors within a certain population and how species can interact with one another. In this article, we outline what a zoologist does, the average salary of a zoologist, types of zoologists and how to become one.
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What does a zoologist do?
A zoologist is a type of scientist who observes and researches animal life, origin and behavior in the wild or captivity. They often travel great distances to study various species in their habitats, such as jungles, deserts and remote locations. As animals adjust to climate change and human impact, zoologists play a crucial role in protecting endangered animal populations.
A zoologist’s duties may include:
- Identifying an animal’s population outlook
- Measuring an animal’s physical characteristics
- Addressing potential threats to the species’ quality of life
- Monitoring an animal’s diet
- Tracking migration patterns
- Overseeing hunting programs and protocols
- Proposing conservation solutions
- Mapping habitat ranges
- Speaking to wildlife and conservation groups
- Networking with scientists, professionals and advocacy groups
Research is central to a zoologist’s career. A zoologist’s research may be shared with a university, zoo or federal government for appropriate use. Zoologists’ findings may be related to:
- Ecosystem
- Physical traits
- Diets
- Human impact
- Reproduction
- Migration
- Disease
- Environmental changes
Related: FAQ: What Is a Zoologist?
Average salary
The national average salary for zoologists is $71,149 per year but a zoologist’s salary can vary depending on their experience and where they work. Those who work in federal government typically earn the most. Five cities that pay high salaries are Baileys Crossroads, VA; Salt Lake City, UT; Anchorage, AK; Sacramento, CA; and Lakewood, CO. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed.com, click on the salary link.
Read more: How Much Does a Zoologist Make?
Types of zoologists
Zoologists can pick from different specialties, including:
Specialist zoologist
Generally, a zoologist works with one type of animal and has the opportunity to study their environment, well-being and interactions with humans, predators and prey. Working in these specialty fields usually requires a master’s or a doctoral degree to perform research.
Wildlife biologist
A wildlife biologist studies animals and plants that live in the wild, such as prairies, forests and jungles. They may work with other specialties to research occurrences impacting habitats, migration, mating or survival.
Ecologist
An ecologist studies the relationship between life forms and the environment they live in. They can also be a specialist in a certain environment if they’ve worked on it for a long time such as freshwater marshlands or forest.
Conservationist
A conservationist focuses on how to manage and protect wildlife as climates change and more species become extinct. They study behavior, nutrition and reproduction to ensure species’ health and well-being.
Marine biologist
A marine biologist studies life forms in saltwater environments like oceans or tidal flats. They gather information about underwater life and environments.
Animal behaviorist
An animal behaviorist studies how animals interact with each other. They observe life-sustaining behavior such as finding food, mating and hibernating.
Read more: Guide To Zoology Jobs
How to become a zoologist
Here are the steps you should take if you want to become a zoologist:
1. Pursue a bachelor’s degree
You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a zoologist. Consider a degree in animal health and behavior, wildlife conservation, captive wildlife care or wildlife and fisheries biology. It typically takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation, which is the basic level of zoologist education needed to enter the field.
Some of the main courses you’ll need to take at the university level include biology, chemistry, physics and math. The courses may have different subcategories required to graduate. Work with a faculty adviser to make sure your academic track is in line with your career path.
2. Pursue volunteer opportunities and internships
To stand out in this competitive field, you should work to gain practical experience at internships, summer work placements or volunteer jobs after graduation. Reach out to local zoos or organizations that offer volunteer opportunities or internships. They are great introductions to different areas of zoology and how to interact with animals. Also, you may receive college credit while networking with professionals.
3. Earn a graduate degree in zoology
Many employers require a master’s degree or Ph.D. Check with your undergraduate university to see if it offers a graduate program in zoology. You might consider a Ph.D. program if you’re looking for researching and teaching opportunities in zoology. Earning a master’s degree usually takes two years with 30 hours of fieldwork. A Ph.D. program may require at least five years of academic instruction.
Read more: 17 Jobs in Zoology and the Required Education for Each
Skills required to be a zoologist
Zoologists need a combination of hard and soft skills to succeed in their careers. Hard skills are the techniques and factual information obtained during your college education, volunteer or internship opportunities and hands-on work.
Here are some of the soft skills that zoologists needy:
Communication skills
A zoologist must be able to communicate with others so everyone can perform their jobs effectively. You’ll need to understand situations to respond to feedback regarding animal behavior or lab research.
Related: 21 Ways To Improve Your Communication Skills
Active listening skills
Active listening helps you to be present and responsive to your listener. You need to be able to have one-on-one interactions or receive step-by-step instructions. Active listening skills improve the way you ask questions, carry out tasks, read nonverbal cues and take accurate notes on specific details.
Computer skills
You’ll need enhanced computer skills to log crucial research data. You will be expected to manage emails on a professional level and learn new programs as needed. Your active listening skills will help generate beneficial results.
Time management skills
Time management is a noteworthy skill to obtain as a zoologist. The careful evaluation of life, behavioral patterns and lab results requires you to compartmentalize and focus on one task at a time. In the end, this skill can define the goals you want to accomplish daily on behalf of your employer.
Related: What Is Time Management? (Plus Useful Tips and Advice
Leadership skills
Leadership skills are skills you use when organizing other people to reach a shared goal. Whether you’re managing a lab team or leading a field project, these skills help you motivate others to complete tasks, often according to a schedule.
Analytical skills
Analytical skills are the traits and abilities that allow you to observe, research and interpret a subject to develop complex ideas and solutions. Analyzing a subject means that you’ve cultivated an in-depth understanding of it and can speak to it with some level of expertise. Those with strong analytical thinking skills are often capable of quickly analyzing a situation, topic or problem and often work well in a team setting to accomplish goals.
Related: 10 Ways To Improve Your Analytical Skills
Teamwork skills
Teamwork skills are essential to your success as a zoologist. Working well with clients, colleagues and other people in your workplace or the field can help you complete tasks efficiently while creating an enjoyable environment both for yourself and others.
Frequently asked questions about being a zoologist
What is the work environment for a zoologist?
Zoologists may work indoors, conducting lab experiments and preparing reports. Most work outdoors with frequent travel to collect specimens, gather data, monitor species and manage wildlife populations. Zoologists may face difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions. Whether in the lab or the field, their hours may be long and irregular depending on their task.
Where do zoologists work?
Zoologists may work in a variety of jobs and fields, including:
- Teaching at museums or universities
- Researching, training and caring for zoo animals
- Researching, training and caring for fish and mammals at aquariums
- Rehabilitating and releasing animals for wildlife conservation groups
- Researching veterinary medicine and drugs
- Raising funds for research or travel
- Writing for scientific or technical publications
Do zoologists need certification or a license?
There is no national certification for zoologists in general, however, particular fields may have their certifications. For example, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification would be helpful for fieldwork while scuba certification may be needed for marine studies.
What are specialized studies that zoologists can pursue?
There are 10 recognized specialties, including:
- Cetology: Study of marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins
- Mammalogy – Study of land mammals, such as monkeys, sloths and bears
- Ornithology – Study of birds, such as penguins, pelicans and owls
- Herpetology – Study of reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes, lizards and frogs
- Entomology – Study of insects, such as ants, beetles and butterflies
- Parasitology – Study of parasites and their hosts
- Ichthyology – Study of wild fish, such as tuna and sharks
- Teuthology – Study of cephalopods, such as squid and octopus
- Malacology – Study of mollusks, such as slugs, snails and clams
- Paleozoology – Study of ancient animals and fossilized species
