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Ethologist

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March 29, 2024 Updated April 14, 2025 16 minute read

Ethologist: A Career in Understanding Animal Behavior

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, focusing primarily on behavior under natural conditions. Unlike some related fields, ethologists often emphasize observing animals in their native habitats to understand the evolutionary significance and adaptive purpose of their actions. This discipline seeks to answer fundamental questions about why animals behave the way they do, exploring the interplay between genetics, environment, development, and evolutionary history.

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Salaries for Ethologist

City

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Median

New York

$106,000

$138,000

$189,000

$138,000

San Francisco

$84,000

$101,000

$128,000

$101,000

Seattle

$115,000

$137,000

$163,000

$137,000

See all salaries

City

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Median

New York

$106,000

$138,000

$189,000

$138,000

San Francisco

$84,000

$101,000

$128,000

$101,000

Seattle

$115,000

$137,000

$163,000

$137,000

Austin

$85,000

$116,000

$163,000

$116,000

Toronto

$81,000

$106,000

$136,000

$106,000

London

£69,000

£95,000

£134,000

£95,000

Paris

€47,000

€60,000

€79,000

€60,000

Berlin

€50,000

€63,000

€81,000

€63,000

Tel Aviv

₪550,000

₪745,000

₪902,000

₪745,000

Singapore

S$60,000

S$80,000

S$124,000

S$80,000

Beijing

¥216,000

¥321,000

¥495,000

¥321,000

Shanghai

¥82,000

¥100,000

¥135,000

¥100,000

Shenzhen

¥106,000

¥125,000

¥147,000

¥125,000

Bengalaru

₹290,000

₹511,000

₹652,000

₹511,000

Delhi

₹277,000

₹470,000

₹531,000

₹470,000

Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Ethologist

Take the first step.

We've curated six courses to help you on your path to Ethologist. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.

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Reading list

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Animal Behaviour (2Nd Ed.)

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This journal publishes peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of animal behavior, including animal cognition.

Animal Behaviour

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Mind of the Raven

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Provides a detailed account of the cognitive abilities of ravens, including their capacity for language, reasoning, and problem-solving. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the evolution of cognition.

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Principles of Cognition

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This introductory textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of animal cognition, covering topics such as learning, memory, communication, and problem-solving. It is well-written and accessible to students with a variety of backgrounds.

Principles of Cognition: Finding Minds

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Contemporary Animal Learning Theory

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Provides a comparative overview of animal reasoning, covering topics such as problem-solving, decision-making, and concept formation. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the evolution of cognition.

Contemporary Animal Learning Theory (Problems in...

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The Intelligence of Dogs

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the cognitive abilities of dogs, covering topics such as learning, memory, communication, and problem-solving. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the evolution of cognition.

The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts,...

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The Intelligence of Dogs: Canine Consciousness and...

Hardcover

The Intelligence of Dogs

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Our Inner Ape

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Explores the social intelligence of primates, covering topics such as cooperation, competition, and conflict resolution. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the evolution of cognition.

Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why...

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Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why...

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(Pусский) Наша внутренняя обезьяна: Двойственная природа...

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Our Inner Ape: The Best and Worst of Human Nature...

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(中文) Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why...

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Our Inner Ape by de Waal, Frans(October 6, 2005)...

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When Animals Dream

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Explores the question of whether animals are conscious, covering topics such as the evolution of consciousness, the neural correlates of consciousness, and the ethical implications of animal consciousness.

When Animals Dream: The Hidden World of Animal...

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(Español) Cuando los animales sueñan: El mundo oculto de la...

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When Animals Dream: The Hidden World of Animal...

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