Animal behaviorists take on many different roles.
Animal behaviorists are scientists who take care of animals in many different ways. They may help ranchers breed healthy livestock and control predators, develop high-quality enclosures and habitats for zoos and laboratories, or study endangered species or the habitat encroachment of animals. The field often combines animal physiology, psychology and the environment. An animal behaviorist's educational path depends on the individual's interests and the field of study he pursues.
Function
Animal behaviorists study and observe animals' biology, anatomy and environment. They may study single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds or mammals, examining how animals find food, reproduce, evade predators and care for their offspring. Animal behaviorists may determine causes of behavioral issues and create plans to manipulate the animal toward more desirable behavior, or to ensure animals are properly cared for in a particular environment.
Education and Training
Animal behaviorists are often veterinarians. They may have degrees in agriculture, zoology or biology, and many have degrees in psychology. The field of animal behavior requires experience and study in several disciplines, including psychology, biology, ecology, genetics and zoology. Some jobs in animal behavior only require a bachelor's degree in the field related to the position. However, most careers in animal behavior require an advanced degree, such as a master's degree, a Ph.D. or a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Types of Jobs
There are essentially four types of animal behaviorists. Applied animal behaviorists observe and treat animals' behavioral problems. Ethologists study animals in their natural environments. Biopsychologists, also called psychobiologists, study the neurological and physiological behaviors of animals. Other scientists ensure the well-being of animals used in research.
There are several types of employment available to animal behaviorists. They may teach or perform independent research at colleges or universities. Zoos and aquariums hire behaviorists as curators and researchers, turning to behaviorists for guidance on the day-to-day care and habitat development for living collections. Applied animal behavior training is a growing field, in which behaviorists assist in training domestic animals including family pets and farm, zoo and laboratory animals.
Salary Information
Veterinarians' salaries depend greatly on their specialties and the sizes of the animals for which they care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinarians earned a median income of $79,050 in 2008 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $143,000. BLS reports that the median annual wages of zoologists and wildlife biologists were $55,290 in May 2008, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $34,000, and the highest 10 percent earning more than $90,000.
Outlook and Job Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for veterinary technologists and veterinarians is expected to grow 33 percent between 2008 and 2018. The outlook for biological scientists is expected to grow 21 percent over the same time period. The federal government is a major source of funding for research in many areas in which behaviorists work; 40 percent of all of these positions are with federal, state and local governments. Therefore, large budget increases or decreases can directly affect future employment opportunities.
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