A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals, including how they live, behave, and interact with their environments. They may work in labs, in the wild, or in zoos and museums.
“Zoologist” comes from “zoology” plus the suffix “-ist,” meaning “a person who practices or is concerned with something.” The root “zoo-” comes from Greek “zōion,” meaning “animal,” and “-logy” from “logos,” meaning “study” or “word.”
The “zoo” in “zoologist” is really just the Greek word for “animal,” not a cage or park. So a zoologist is, quite literally, an ‘animal-studier,’ no matter where they actually work.
Scientific fields such as zoology were historically dominated by men, and female zoologists’ work was often attributed to male colleagues or supervisors. The term itself is neutral, but institutional barriers limited women’s access to formal zoological training and positions well into the 20th century.
Use 'zoologist' for people of any gender and avoid assuming a zoologist is male. When giving examples, include women and gender-diverse zoologists where historically relevant.
["animal scientist"]
Women zoologists have made major contributions in ethology, conservation biology, and taxonomy, often conducting extensive fieldwork and pioneering research while receiving less recognition than male peers.
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