Animal Behavior
Offered by the Biology, and Psychology departments.

The study of animal behavior is the scientific study of everything that animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, humans, or other mammals. It involves the investigation of the relationship of animals to their physical environment as well as to other organisms, and includes topics such as how animals find and defend resources, avoid predators, choose mates and reproduce, and care for their young.

Students trained in this field go on to careers as animal trainers, veterinarians, zoo and aquarium personnel, wildlife filmmakers, wildlife management and conservation agents, and researchers both in labs and in the field. For more information about careers in animal behavior, visit the Animal Behavior Society.

Related Departments

For further information contact Kathleen Morgan at kmorgan@wheatoncollege.edu or (508) 286-3934.

Programs

Faculty

Kathleen Morgan

Associate Professor of Psychology

Internships

Sidney Sipes

2021, Neuroscience

Mars Fellows Career Exploration Fund

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, MA

This experience brought me closer to learning what I want to do for a career, which is to be a keeper for primates. I would like to further explore my interest in great apes after caring for chimpanzees during this internship.

Caroline Genther

2021, Biology

Martha Van Cott Singdahlsen '57 Wheaton Fund Career Exploration Fund

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT

Interning with the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium helped me to further my career goals in marine animal rehabilitation by giving me knowledge, skills and mentors in the field.

Sydney O'Brien

2020, Biology

Mars Fellowship for Career Exploration

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, CT

I learned that I can do anything if I set my mind to it. Many zoo keepers are women, and I spent 10 weeks learning from three empowering women how to be independent and tackle problems on my own.

Nicole Lussier

2020, Biology

Merit Scholarship

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, MA

This internship gave me hands-on experience in handling, training, presenting and caring for over 120 exotic and native animals, and made me realize that I want a career in zoology.