Posted by Cassie Prindle on November 26, 2005

Q: Dear, whoever reads these things:

Hello! My name is Cassie and I'm a 15 year old from Pennsylvania. I have a question for you. I'm interested in doing something in the animal field when i get older, and I have been thinking naturalist. But my question is, what EXACTLY are they? I know they have a lot to do with animals and different species, but what exactly do they do? I'm interested in being someone who picks a certain target group of animals, (ex:Dog family, Wild horses, ect..)and studies them in the wild and turns information into somebody. But I don't know what they are called. I'm not sure if they are naturalists or not. Please help me.

Thank you,

Cassie Prindle

State: Alabama

A: Sounds to me Cassie, that your interests have you leaning toward the animal behavior field (ethology). Ethologists study animal behavior to help us understand many aspects of their biological needs, population status, and what people can do to ensure their survival. Ethologists have learned a great deal about the Whooping Crane, Giant Panda, Peregrine Falcon, Indian Rhinocerous, just to name a few, to help save these wonderful animals from extinction. If you don't understand the needs of a species, it isn't possible to help them survive. You may think that most of the animals on the planet are already well understood but this is definitely NOT the case! There is much, much, much for scientists to learn. One animal that is getting a fair amount of research at present is the Giant Squid - still much we don't know about these incredible animals. Even many animals right in Pennsylvania are not well understood so one doesn't have to go far to do their studies.

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So, you'll need a good biology background and may want to specialize in mammalogy, if you want to study mammals, or ornithology, if you want to focus on birds - you get the picture! Make sure when you attend college that the school of your choice has a good program in your particular field of interest. Best of luck to you and thanks for a well written question.

John Wiessinger ( November 27, 2005)