The Methods of Studying Animal Behavior

Field Observation

• In this type of research, the scientist is as unobtrusive as possible into the animal's environment. Instead, he attempts to observe how the animals function in the natural environment. The scientist watches for behaviors such as feeding, mating rituals and social interactions with other animals. This includes interactions with animals of the same species and those of other species that share the habitat. Observations about how the animals communicate is also often a part of this type of study.

Captivity Studies

• Other researchers observe animal behavior in captivity. This allows the researcher to study animals in an up close and personal way. The knowledge gained in this type of study is essential to conservation efforts. It helps scientists understand how to help increase optimum breeding conditions for animals in captivity so that efforts can be taken to increase populations in a healthy and sustainable way. However, behavioral problems that arise in captive animals are also studied.

Laboratory Study

• Sometimes, animal behavior is studied in a controlled environment within a laboratory. In this type of research, a scientific experiment is designed to test animal responses to certain stimuli. For example, you could conduct an experiment with animals where you give them a choice between two locations. Providing different stimuli to the animals may influence their decision to go to one location as opposed to the other. This gives insight into the motivating factors behind the decisions animals make.

Interventions In the Wild

• Animal behavior is also studied in the wild in ways that include a certain amount of intervention on the part of the researchers. This type of research is particularly useful in understanding migration and movement patterns. Researchers will band birds or place tracking devices of varying kinds on animals. Then, movement patterns of those species can be tracked and documented. This helps researchers understand when, why and how animal species move from one location to the next.