Zoology

Zoology is the branch of biology that studies the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals. Zoology studies animals both in their natural environment as well as in captivity. It also examines how animals interact with their environment, including other animals and plants. Because of its broad scope, zoology is a valuable tool for understanding the complexity of life on Earth, from the genetic mechanisms of adaptation, to how our activities are impacting the environment, and animal behavior. Additionally, the knowledge and discoveries gleaned from zoology have important application to fields such as conservation efforts, evolutionary biology, and animal-based medicine.