What Is Animal Behavior?
Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything
animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, insects,
birds, mammals, fish, or humans. However, human behavior is more often
studied by psychologists, anthropologists, human ethologists, or other
social scientists.
The field of animal behavior is concerned with
understanding the causes, functions, development, and evolution of
behavior. The causes of behavior include all of the stimuli that affect
behavior, whether external (food or predators) or internal (hormones or
nervous system changes). The function of behavior include both the
immediate effects of behavior on an animal (such as attracting a mate),
and the adaptive significance of the behavior in a particular
environment (such as huddling together in cold weather). The development
of behavior is concerned with the ways in which behavior changes over
the lifetime of an animal. The evolution of behavior is concerned with
origins of behavior patterns and how these change over generations of
animals.
What Education/Training is needed ?
Most scientists directly involved in animal behavior are found
within two disciplines: Ethology and comparative psychology. These
disciplines overlap greatly in their goals, interests, and methods.
Ethologists usually are trained in departments of biology, zoology,
entomology, wildlife, or other animal sciences, whereas most comparative
psychologists are trained in psychology departments. Some jobs in
animal behavior require only a bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a bachelor or
Science (B.S.) degree. However, most careers in animal behavior require
advanced degrees, sometimes a Master of Arts or of Science (M.A., M.S.)
but usually a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine (D.V.M.). Earning such advanced degrees requires a very good
undergraduate background, good grades, high motivation, hard work, and
intelligence. Many colleges and universities in North America offer
graduate training programs in animal behavior.
What Career Opportunities are available ?
College Teaching and Research: Most animal behaviorists
teach and/or do research at colleges and universities. Many have
academic appointments in biology, zoology, or psychology departments. A
smaller number are found in departments of anthropology, sociology,
entomology, animal and poultry science, wildlife biology, ecology, or in
medical or veterinary colleges. Careers in college teaching and
research usually require the Ph.D. degree; a very few junior colleges
require only a master's degree. Most animal behavior jobs exist within
larger academic departments such as zoology or psychology, and animal
behaviorists usually teach in related disciplines such as physiology,
ecology, and herpetology. Students who obtain the Ph.D. degree in
programs offering broad training in one or more of the behavioral or
biological sciences will be more competitive in the job market. Although
animal behavior is a growing discipline, competition for jobs in
teaching and research is very keen, and job opportunities in colleges
and universities are not expected to expand greatly in the foreseeable
future.
Government and Private Research Institutions: Very few
animal behaviorists work in government laboratories or in private
business and industry; most of these jobs will involve research in
health-related areas. For example, drug companies or government
laboratories may hire animal behaviorists to conduct research on the
behavioral effects of new drugs or chemicals. Other laboratories may
hire behaviorists to examine the links between behavior and disease
states. such as heart disease. For such jobs, breadth of training will
be essential. Training in the biological sciences relevant to health,
such as physiology, biochemistry, or pharmacology, will be particularly
helpful.
Zoo, Conservation Groups, Museums: Zoos and museums
occasionally hire animal behaviorists as curators or researchers.
Curators are responsible for acquiring, maintaining, and displaying
collections of particular animals or specimens. Researchers are
responsible for the scientific study of the animals or specimens.
Curators and researchers usually have Ph.D. or D.V.M. degrees and also
have broad training in other disciplines of biology such as animal
husbandry, systematics, ornithology, or anatomy.
Applied Animal Behavior: A small but growing number of
animal behaviorists are being hired to apply behavioral knowledge to the
production, management, conservation, and/or care of wild and domestic
animals. Most are researchers in colleges, universities, or government
research facilities. Many are employed by academic departments such as
animal science, wildlife, or entomology, for research aimed at areas
such as improving livestock production, managing wildlife populations or
controlling pests. Most of these researchers have a Ph.D. in animal
behavior or in some allied field of biology with advanced training in
animal behavior. Other applied animal behaviorists are concerned with
treating the behavioral problems of pets or other domestic animals.
These individuals usually work in schools of veterinary medicine within
colleges or universities, in veterinary hospitals, or for private
consulting firms. Some have a Ph.D. from an animal behavior program
specializing in such training, while others have a D.V.M. with
additional training in behavior.
Research Assistants: Paid research assistants often are
hired by universities, zoos, museums, and government, and private
facilities to help conduct ongoing animal behavior research. Here they
work under the direction of faculty or staff researchers and help to
design, perform and analyze the results of animal behavior studies.
Research assistants may work in laboratories or in the field, depending
upon the nature of the research project. These jobs may be full-time or
part-time. Full-time research assistants usually have either a B.S. or
M.S. degree. The usual requirements for a B.S. assistant is a major in
the biological or behavioral sciences with some course work in animal
behavior. Part-time assistants need not have a bachelor's degree, but
usually they have had some course work in behavior. Often, part-time
assistants are students working toward a college degree. As was true for
college teaching and research, competition for research assistant jobs
is keen. Breadth of training in allied fields (such as ecology,
physiology, psychology, or chemistry) and/or possession of particular
practical skills (such as statistical analysis, computer programming, or
electronics) can be helpful).
Zoo or Museum Assistants: Some zoos and museums hire
research assistants or educators. Education requirements and job related
duties are similar to those discussed in the previous section.
Educators help to prepare educational displays, lead tours, and/or give
lectures to tour groups. Educators may have a B.S. or M.S. degree in the
biological or behavioral sciences. Usually some specialized training or
experience in secondary or adult education is also preferred.
Animal Trainers: Some behaviorists train animals for
public performance for zoos, circuses, stage, or television; others
train pets as in obedience training, guard dog training, seeing-eye
dogs, or retrieving. Currently, in most states and provinces, animal
trainers are not required to have any specialized training in animal
behavior. However, many have been through a certification training
program or have apprenticed to another professional animal trainer.
Veterinary Technicians: Veterinary Technicians work in all
facets of veterinary medicine, industry, research, zoos, aquariums,
laboratories and veterinary schools.These positions require at least a
two year associates degree from an accredited institution. Some
universities offer four year programs.
Other Jobs Working with Animals: Many other jobs that
involve working with animals also involve some knowledge of animal
behavior. These include employment as animal caretakers at zoos,
universities, and research institutions, as pet store workers, and as
animal control officers. Some of these require specialized ro advanced
training; others do not. "This Article is Courtesy of yahoo"
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