Animal behaviorist: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Animal behaviorist
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Practice Now »What is a Animal behaviorist?
An animal behaviorist is a professional who studies and understands the way animals behave, often dealing with behavioural issues and providing training to improve an animal's reaction to certain situations. In the UK, this person would work in animal care facilities like zoos or kennels, and could also be involved in finding and rescuing stray or nuisance animals.
Skills
- Strong understanding of animal behavior and psychology
- Ability to assess and interpret animal behavior accurately
- Proficient in designing and implementing behavior modification plans
- Excellent observation and communication skills
- Knowledge of various animal species and their specific needs
- Ability to handle and restrain animals safely and confidently
- Experience in training animals using positive reinforcement techniques
- Proficient in conducting behavioral assessments and creating detailed reports
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities in challenging situations
- Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in the field
Qualifications & Education
- Entry possible without formal academic qualifications
- Some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades
- Vocational qualifications available:
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
To become an animal behaviorist in the UK, you can pursue various paths. These include completing a university or college course, undertaking an apprenticeship, working towards this role through experience, applying directly, or receiving specialized training with a professional body.
To become an animal behaviorist in the UK, it is generally expected to have GCSEs (A* to C) in Maths, Science, and English. It would also be beneficial to have A-Levels or a degree in a related subject, such as biology or animal care.
With a degree in animal behavior, you can pursue various jobs such as working in government and private research institutions, wildlife management, conservation of endangered species, supporting animals used in health science research programs, and working in zoos, conservation groups, museums as keepers, curators, or researchers.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Animal behaviorist mock interview, under 10 minutes
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