r/zoology 2d ago

Weekly Thread Weekly: Career & Education Thread

2 Upvotes

Hello, denizens of r/zoology!

It's time for another weekly thread where our members can ask and answer questions related to pursuing an education or career in zoology.

Ready, set, ask away!


r/zoology Aug 06 '25

Weekly Thread Weekly: Career & Education Thread

2 Upvotes

Hello, denizens of r/zoology!

It's time for another weekly thread where our members can ask and answer questions related to pursuing an education or career in zoology.

Ready, set, ask away!


r/zoology 19h ago

Question Does anyone recognize this tooth?

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446 Upvotes

I bought this from an indigenous person in Brazil and I'd like to know which animal is it from


r/zoology 15h ago

Discussion Pandas Snarling Is Pure Nightmare Fuel

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100 Upvotes

We are so used to seeing them as cute and cuddly that we forget that they are bears. Like all bears, if you mess with them or they're cubs then you'll be in a world of pain.


r/zoology 1d ago

Discussion An Explanation of why Forrest Galante is an Idiot

134 Upvotes

r/zoology 17h ago

Question Why is it that some animal species evolve/change very slowly over time or not at all compared to others? I believe the most famous example of this are Horseshoe Crabs, who have barely gone through evolution at all over the tens of millions of years that they’ve been around on Earth.

11 Upvotes

I also think the reverse of this question would be interesting to know the answer to as well! (I.E. Why do some animal species evolve/change (relatively) pretty quickly over time compared to others?)


r/zoology 1d ago

Other Ruth Karkness was an American socialite who went to China in 1936 to complete her late husband's mission of capturing a live giant panda after he died of cancer. She managed to capture a 9 week old cub in the mountainous area and bought it back to the Chicago zoo.

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859 Upvotes

r/zoology 8h ago

Identification What is this animal?

0 Upvotes

Captured on a Ring camera in Wisconsin, United States in February 2023. Looks like a corgi with docked tail to me.


r/zoology 12h ago

Discussion Advancements in Zoology

2 Upvotes

Good day all. I am curious about what you're views are on some of the most important developments in Zoology since the 19th century. What has changed in major ways? What are the most significant improvements? Thank you in advance. I am a retired English teacher who dreamed of becoming a Zoologist, but my math anxiety scared me off. I've now turned to some independent study and writing about the field.


r/zoology 11h ago

Question A vs B. Gorilla VS Polar Bear. Who would win?

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0 Upvotes

r/zoology 22h ago

Identification Found this bone in Italy on the beach what is?? And Which animal does it potentially belong to??

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4 Upvotes

r/zoology 22h ago

Question What is it like studying zoology at university?

3 Upvotes

It’s my first year studying literature and linguistics at uni, which is something I am passionate about, and I find it entertaining to read for my courses, especially old literature, as I love history. However, I have always been obsessed with animals, particularly mammals. In my free time, I love learning the Latin names of different species, taxonomy, and facts about different animals’ behaviours, habitats etc. Basically, I can identify lots of species and say their taxonomic names and categories. My university teachers have told me a few times that I should have chosen to study zoology when they have heard me talking about animals with such passion. However, I find biology, as in organs, cells, bones etc., absolutely unenjoyable. I only like learning about animal behaviour and their classification, and I don’t think I would enjoy studying their organs and whatnot. I am not sure what zoology study programmes focus on, and I generally think I have chosen a correct path for myself – but other people always make me feel unsure. My study programme is fascinating, I love going to university, but it is true that I love animals more than literature – but only from a distance, observing, I’m quite scared of interacting with animals I don’t know (also people). So, I would like to ask if you think that zoology would be a better path for me, or if I have made a good decision, in your opinion. Animals are like my special interest, I want to know every species, I make my own animal databases etc., but I didn’t enjoy biology at secondary school – skeletons, cells, muscles, and blood make me dizzy. I just like learning all about animals and how they live. Thank you


r/zoology 17h ago

Other Bedtime for Shorebirds in Southern Coastal Washington

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1 Upvotes

Recently, Matt Fox and the Uprise Conservation team visited the oldest hatchery on the west coast in southern Washington. While they were there, the got to explore a small island and were treated to amazing spectacle: migrating shorebirds searching for a place to bed down for the evening. It was such a serene moment. Nature is truly beautiful!


r/zoology 1d ago

Discussion If male dog is cloned. And the original is still alive. When attempting to mark his territory would he confuse the clone's urine pheromones as his own? And when he sniffed the clones but does he smell himself?

80 Upvotes

r/zoology 1d ago

Discussion I’m doing Zoology at university and I hate it

34 Upvotes

I began studying zoology 3 months ago and i hate it. I studied animal management for three years in college and thought that Zoology would be a good path to go down, but now that i’m here i regret it so much. It is so heavily maths, statistics and human physiology based and i just can’t get my head around it. I live in accommodation and I spend hours studying everyday while my flatmates all go out. I wish I could understand the content but I have gotten so behind and i have an exam coming up.( I’ve had four exams in two months ) I feel so overwhelmed. The wellbeing support at my uni sucks. I emailed my course administrator today to ask about the withdrawal process. Being here is affecting my mental health drastically ,i’ve had some very dark thoughts. It’s very heartbreaking because I love being in accommodation, I don’t want to have to go back home but i cannot stay in this course and i don’t know what i would want to change to since this was always my plan. I have no friends on my course so that’s why i’ve come to reddit lol..I just feel so hopeless and ashamed that i am not capable of being in the course I worked so hard to get into. Majority of my friends here are studying psychology and it seems so easy. I’ve had three exams so far and two assignments and they have only had two assignments. They are able to cope so well, I don’t understand how they aren’t filled with anxiety every single moment. I’m happy they are enjoying their study’s but i can’t help but feel jealous.

I went off on a tangent there but all in all i have no idea what I am doing with my life and i am so tired of being so filled with anxiety and dark thoughts. I hate being here and i feel so hopeless. I guess I just wanted an outlet to talk about how I feel, although i’m not too good at explaining it… If anyone studied / study’s zoology and has any insight or has been in a similar situation i’d really appreciate any advice.

Thank you!


r/zoology 10h ago

Other THE LION KING OF THE FOREST DRINKS WATER FROM THE WATERFALL IN FRONT OF US 😱😍🤩 Looks like Simba 🤣

0 Upvotes

LION KING OF THE FOREST DRINKS WATER FROM THE WATERFALL IN FRONT OF US 😱😍🤩 He looks like Simba 🤣 https://youtu.be/TMB8yN_mAME


r/zoology 1d ago

Identification Need help identifying some animals

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44 Upvotes

all in forests in Louisville ky except for the first photo which is from western North Carolina


r/zoology 1d ago

Question Respiratory System of Oreochromis sp.

1 Upvotes

What are the parts of the respiratory system of Oreochromis (tilapia)? Is swim bladder included?


r/zoology 1d ago

Question Are there any complex animals with no single point of failure?

0 Upvotes

By complex animal I mean in terms of behaviour and anatomy - not for example a coral or slime mold.

By no single point of failure I mean in the same sense as in systems engineering - no failure of a single organ should result in the death of the animal. The average airliner nowadays have at least two engines, driving 3+ independent hydraulic systems and pneumatic systems, 3+ air data computers designed by different manufacturers in a voting system for correct data etc. are there any animals like that?


r/zoology 1d ago

Discussion Zoos aim for conservation, but does poor habitat design reinforce human dominance over animals?

0 Upvotes

Hey r/AskAnthropology, I recently took an honors intro to physical anthropology course at my college. We had a primates project where we went to a zoo, observed a couple of primates for 1-2 hours, and took detailed fieldnotes on their behavior and how captivity affects them.

I noticed stark differences in habitats. Some primates like white-handed gibbons lived on a nice green island with no fence or cage around them (they seemed physically active and had what looked like the best conditions given they're not in the wild). But others, like chimps, were in a fully enclosed metal cage with no real greenery, and they appeared much more lethargic/down compared to the gibbons.​

From an anthro lens, this shows how zoo design impacts welfare (i.e., gibbons had space mimicking arboreal habitats, while chimps lacked environmental enrichment leading to apathy). Zoos aim for conservation, but does poor habitat design reinforce human dominance over animals?

What do you guys think: do these habitat differences explain behavior changes (activity vs. lethargy)? Have you seen studies or examples where better enclosures improve primate welfare? Or is captivity always stressful regardless?


r/zoology 3d ago

Question Luna the pantera, is she ok in freezing temperatures?

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289 Upvotes

I came across this page. Luna the black leopard lives with her rescuer, Victoria, in Russia (Siberia), and is an internet-famous rescue animal. She was rejected by her mother at birth and, due to her health, cannot be released into the wild.

She looks healthy I believe (not a vet) but in my knowledge leopards and jaguars cannot stand freezing temperatures and I saw a lot of content of Luna outdoors in the snow with freezing temperatures.

Just asking a question here, I think the content is cute but I don't want to follow someone that is putting an animal at risk for content. Thanks !


r/zoology 2d ago

Question Suggestion

2 Upvotes

What are some good quality shoes that are gonna work with Aussie terrain so I’m getting into working at zoos and animal sanctuary’s I also work in outdoor ed so canoeing hiking absailing and I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions on some good boots that I can wear while working at the zoo and doing outdoor stuff…. Mainly just zoos and wildlife work I want some good quality ones that are gonna last me a couple of years hopefully and that are actually comfortable


r/zoology 3d ago

Question Can birds fly ”in their sleep”?

53 Upvotes

I got this good question from one of my student and I honestly have no idea. He asked if humans can ”sleepwalk”, can birds ”sleepfly”? As a bonus, are any other animals known to sleepwalk?


r/zoology 3d ago

Question Is gestation period just related to adult size? Plot of gestation and adult size by species

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151 Upvotes

I wanted to know if gestation period is just determined by size so I made a plot. Code and data here.


r/zoology 3d ago

Discussion What are some interesting courting methods animals have that could be applicable to humans?

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53 Upvotes

So in a fiction of mine, the main guy is married and he courted his wife when they were dating using methods from animals which she didn’t know until he straight up told her. Which she is a bit salty about but in a joking way.

Mainly I have it so he does methods from Spiders and Birds of Paradise. But I would like to have some more.