Because there are many specialties in the field of animal research, an animal researcher is a fairly broad job description. This can range from an animal physiologist who performs animal testing to study the effects of certain drugs to a zoologist or biologist who studies animal behavior and conducts extensive research on various types of animals. An animal researcher’s career or educational path is largely determined by his or her interests, career goals, and the body of work to which he or she wishes to contribute. Animal testing, for example, is a contentious job that many animal lovers oppose morally, so it would seem illogical for someone who shares these values to pursue it.
An animal physiologist, for example, is a type of animal researcher who conducts animal testing. This could include putting certain prescription drugs, whether for human or animal use, through their paces on animals, as well as testing other products. A physiologist may also be investigating whether new food formulations developed by animal feed companies provide adequate nutrition for the animals. However, an animal physiologist is not commonly referred to as a “animal researcher.”
Animal biologists and zoologists, as well as research veterinarians, are examples of other types of animal researchers with a completely different focus. Biologists and zoologists study a wide range of animal behaviors, including breeding and mating habits, migration patterns, and so on. They look for changes and patterns over time, and they frequently use this information to recommend different conservation efforts to preserve ecosystems or protect threatened species. A research veterinarian might work for a college or university and try to figure out better ways to treat animals, like curing diseases or developing better surgical techniques.
An animal scientist is yet another type of animal researcher, but this one focuses on domestic farm or agricultural animals. This type of researcher is primarily responsible for researching the genetics and development of these animals in order to improve their breeding efficiency and meat/dairy/egg production, depending on the animal. They might try to breed animals with specific traits that make them more desirable for production or for surviving in specific environments. They may conduct research to see how changes in animal confinement affect their behavior or physiology. In the end, it is up to the animal researcher to decide what kind of work he or she wants to do and whether or not to work for the animals’ or people’s benefit.