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What Does an Animal Behaviorist Do?


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What Does an Animal Behaviorist Do?
What Does an Animal Behaviorist Do?

Scientists have always been interested in why people do the things they do, their evolution and development, and the functions and root causes of human behavior. So it is with animals and the study of animal behaviorists. Animal behaviorists explore the response of animals to internal and external stimuli. This knowledge, in part, enables advances in human psychology and behavior.

Fathers of Ethology
1.
A form of this study is sometimes referred to as "ethology"---the study of animal behavior in their natural habitat---with an evolutionary bent. Konrad Lorenz and Nikolas Tinbergen are considered two of the founders of ethology for their ideas about the instinctive behavior of animals in the wild.
Generally, European scientists practice ethology, while American scientists go with a broader study program using comparative psychology in addition to the learning process of animals, so many of their studies are laboratory-based.

Science of Behavior
2.
Animal behaviorists study various species, from the lowliest worm to the most evolved of all animals, the gorilla. They are concerned with researching all aspects of the animal's life--how they mate and care for their young, what methods they use to find food and other resources, and how they protect themselves and others in the troop, den, swarm or flock.

In the Wild
3.
A large part of animal research in the wild is set up to investigate how animals relate to their surroundings, how predators affect them and their survival, and how they grow and adapt in their own ecological arena.
Researchers collect data on their habits and take readings on their internal hormonal and nervous system mechanisms---they look at their natural or unconscious physical reactions as a result of interaction with other animals or other external causes. These research reports are often written not only over the lifetime of one animal in particular, but behaviorists who come into the program later continue to study an animal's offspring and how changes develop over generations.

In the Lab
4.
Many animal behavioral research centers are housed in colleges and universities. The scientists study and teach ethology but also examine comparative psychology, the study of behavior at different stages of development; behaviorism, objective observations of reactions; and anthropology, the study of the species and its culture.

Overlapping Education
5.
Large numbers of people who work in animal behavior have overlapping degrees or specialties of study, such as biology, ecology, zoology, evolution, wildlife, psychology, sociology and other related studies like animal husbandry or conservation. They usually hold at least a bachelor's degree in science from one of the aforementioned fields. Most go on to obtain a Masters of Arts in Science degree or an advance doctorate degree. Others opt for a degree in veterinary medicine.

Government or Private Institution

6. Much research today is done for government or private, health-related firms looking for links to disease and examining effects of new drugs by practicing on animals. Scientists trained in biochemistry, pharmacology or physiology design and administer tests to evaluate animals' reactions and behaviors. Secondary knowledge in writing reports, completing statistical analyses and computer database and organizational software is important.

The Fringe
7.
There is no specific licnse for "animal behavior" as a field. But animal behaviorists also use their education by working with zoos, aquariums and animal shelters, or they work independently with pets and pet owners in the care and training of animals. They are mainly concerned with improving animals' health, reproduction or lifestyle.


By Andrea Campbell, eHow Contributing Writer