I want to be a zookeeper, does anyone know if it is better to specialize in a type species of animal?

Question

I am going to start school so that I can become a zookeeper soon. And I already volunteer at both my local humane society(in the wildlife section) and at my local zoo.

But in all the research that I have been looking though I have not seen anything that states on way or the other if it is good to specialize. I have no problem with that I just don't want something that will be MARKED against me, like I don't know enough about birds though I know a lot about apes. And I also know that I could not but all my eggs in on basket(so to say) but would it be better to have some extra eggs in one of my baskets.

Or because all zoos are different but are still reaching for the same goal at the heart of it would it be better to start off being general and then later if I would like to specialize try it by adding more schooling and trainings then?

Answer 1

The majority of keeper do not focus on a species until they are already working. When it comes to getting a job as a keeper most zoos will just look for a degree in bio, zoology, natural resources, etc. It has more or less turned into one of those things where it does not matter what your degree is in as long as it is related and you have one.

However there are cases where a more exact focus in college helps. For example...

Working with insects: focus on entomology in college
Working with birds: focus on ornithology
Working with fish: focus on ichthyology

And so on and so forth. Also there is stuff like marine bio, some places love a background in anthropology when it comes to primates.

Overall it really depends on what you want to work with.

If you are not sure I would focus on a general zoology/bio degree in school then as you move through your courses you might figure out what you really want to focus on. You can then switch or major for example in zoology and minor in entomology.

Also you are moving down the right path by your volunteer work. Zoos not only love a degree but something they love just as much if not more is EXPERIENCE. Heck most zoos will sub expereince a degree for work expereince. Most zoos also have seasonal workers with keeper positions. Look into doing that during your off time at school.

Anyway overall if you are worried have your major be something more general and minor in something more exact.

Good luck.

Also, aza.org posts jobs all the time, you can see what they require to give you a better idea of what to aim for.

Answer 2

In the industry, it's common to specialize in Birds, Mammals, or Aquatic. I would consider the nature of the work you want to do also. As a mammal keeper, the majority of the day you will be pushing around a wheelbarrow full of dung and carrying a rake. As a bird keeper, you won't have to, but they can be difficult to work with and you are always worried about the nesting situation. Aquatic is something I'm not exposed to that often, so I won't answer it.
It would probably be easier to find jobs as a bird keeper since they are not that common. Everyone wants to be a mammal keeper. But if I were you, I would diversify as much as possible. You want to make sure you have as many opportunities as possible. After all, on average there is about one zoo per city. You don't want to have to keep moving too far around the country.

Answer 3

The keepers i have worked with over the years often had no animal husbandry background at all. You may want to discuss with your local zoo keepers, however, often these people are minimum wage or park employees where a good work resume is important but education regarding animals or previous experience with animals is not.
It's best to not specialize too much in a particular animal but if you wanted to be specialized in something like ungulates or primates or something more widespread that might be helpful. Keep in mind that if you have specialized knowledge on one type of animal and their opening happens to be with some other type of animal, they may decide to not hire you because you probably wouldn't stay in that position (depending on the zoo).

Answer 4

In my experience college courses even to degree level are in practice only used as a filter to narrow down the list of job candidates. No matter what you learned at college the zoo will probably expect you to go from college to work as a trainee and they will start from scratch and teach you everything they want you to know. So as long as your marks are high enough it will probably not matter if you specialized in mice but end up taking care of elephants.

Logically, though, a high mark in a general rather than specialized study of zoo-o logy is less likely to limit your options.

Answer 5

If you want to become a zookeeper, the best specialization is about birds.I'm a forest ranger and in my opinion if you want to work in different countries,the best way is practicing about birds.because there is too many people works with big mammals and sea mammals.My zookeeper and Aviary worker friends from USA makes a lot of money, because there is very few professional workers and zookeepers who works about birds.

Answer 6

I would personally go for the birds, although tigers have always fascinated me. Snakes are a very interesting topic, although they take nerve. Spiders are just wrong. Why don't you try your favourite animal. Like..... bears for instance. Bears are quite interesting.

Wolverines are just awesome.

Answer 7

you should specialize in certain groups of animals like mammals,sea mammals, fish, etc. its actually really good and if u tell the people who hire you that you specialize in a certain area, they will most likely put you in charge of that area...and you an eaily get promoted in that area as well

Answer 8

You could specialize in sea animals