Zoologists

• The study of zoology includes animal behavior, but instead of focusing solely on this one subdiscipline, the science combines information across subdisciplines, allowing scientists to look at connections among varying aspects of animal life, such as ecology, evolution and neurobiology. Because the discipline covers the entire animal kingdom, zoologists may study life forms such as insects, jellyfish, molluscs and sponges in addition to vertebrates. Zoology contains numerous branches relating to the study of specific animal groups, such as herpetology, icthyology and mammalogy. Zoologists also study extinct animals, along with living ones.
  
  

Ethologists

• Ethology is a branch of zoology. Ethologists study animal behavior with a specific focus on innate behaviors. These scientists may study behavior patterns, play behavior and social behaviors among animals. The actual work of such scientists varies widely within the field. For example, these scientists may research the interactions between humans and animals, consult on management of livestock or promote animal welfare issues.
  
  

Animal Behaviorists

• Animal behaviorists study animal behavior with a specific focus on learned behaviors. These scientists study life forms from single-celled organisms to humans, including fish, birds and insects along with mammals. Their studies may cover other fields, such as psychology and human behavior. According to Indiana University, the field explores the causes, development, function and evolution of behavior. These studies include stimulii that affect behavior, effects of the behavior and behavioral changes and adaptations.
  
  

Researchers

• Researchers and research assistants from various fields may study animal behavior within the laboratory or in the field as part of experiments, ongoing studies or research. This work may involve direct study of behaviors to learn more about animals or the application of knowledge of animal behavior to further an experiment. For example, a researcher may handle lab animals and use observations of their behavior to determine possible side effects of a drug.
  
  

Veterinarians

• Veterinarians study animal behavior as part of their diagnostic process. Because animals can't speak, veterinarians use behaviors to determine whether an animal is in pain, demonstrating signs of infection or showing signs of psychological issues that could lead to behavioral problems in the home. Depending upon their practice, veterinarians may focus on small animals, large animals, exotics or treat a wide range of animals in their work.