How did you know which animal to specialize in?

Question

My sister is hooked on sea life ever since she saw shamu. I like mammals but I dont know specifically which one I want to work with or study. How did you know?!

Answer 1

I always thought I would be a  big cat biologist as I am a total cat freak and always have been.  Then I decided to take an ornithology class just so I would have a well rounded education, and realized I had a gift for this subject and a gift for identifying them.  I soon found I had a gift for being able to find their nests very easily as well.  People teased me about using "the force" to find their nests.  Identifying birds and finding their nests just came naturally for me, and I loved doing it.  I continued to study birds and they became my passion..suddenly they were one of the most important things in my life.  I have been hooked ever since and don't enjoy working with any wildlife more than I have enjoyed working with birds.  I have since worked with small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, bats, etc..but birds will always be first in my heart.  I could not imagine doing anything else.  Picking something you are good at might be the first clue to help you decide what to study.  Or it may be that you have not yet discovered what you are passionate about.

Answer 2

ever since i saw my first macaw (in a pet shop) when i was about 6

i was hooked on them because of their stunning colours, their large size and power, but they are so gentle especially the hyacinth macaw, the largest macaw species, it is known as the gentle giant of macaws, my aim is to breed these birds, especially the hyacinth, blue throated and i would love for a chance the breed the spix macaw, the most critically endangered macaw.

Answer 3

Forgotten friends is a small non-profit all-volunteer organization dedicated to the protection and placement of homeless, abandoned, abused and neglected dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and other animals. We provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for a small number of animals waiting for a loving, caring adoptive home. We receive no payment for our efforts, only the personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment we feel when placing a rescued animal into a loving home forever. Please save a pet with donations or contributions. We will use donated money to open a pet rescue in the Windham area, to try to improve the lives of local animals, and to make a real difference. We also accept aluminum cans and pet supplies. For more information or to schedule a pick up of donations, or to schedule volunteer time, please call us. For the betterment of the lives of stray, abandoned, and special needs cats and dogs, our goal is to;

*Open an animal shelter in the Windham area

*Find loving homes for animals in need

*Provide shelter, food, and medical necessities

*Give loving care and companionship for as long as needed.

For donations and contributions;

*Call: 330-348-4223

*Email: [e-mail]

Answer 4

Your heart will tell you what you enjoy most.

As to finding that out what works well for many people is work experience.  When you are old enough you can get jobs as a volunteer or as a seasonal worker at vet clinics, zoos, rescue rehab centers, aquariums, etc, etc, etc.  Dip your foot into a few pools and you will see soon enough where your passion will rest.

Good luck.

Answer 5

If you want to work with animals you will find a type that you have a special affinity for.  For example I work with primates and kinda just fell into it but wound up loving it.  I am not all that fond of marine mammals but that is some people's thing.  Pretty much your heart will tell you what you like the best.  Or you may get put working with animals you might not think you would like but wind up loving them.  

Answer 6

I started being interested in frogs when I participated on a training on amphibian survey, and that was to take my friend's spot who couldn't go on the last minute! My professor who organized the training took me along on a number of field studies, so I have her to thank for getting me hooked on frogs in the first place.

That was five years ago. I've been studying frogs ever since, and is now expanding to reptiles as well (it helps to have a boyfriend who shares the same interest :) To keep an open mind, I've also tried bird-watching, helped out my friends survey butterflies and primates, but I couldn't get the same excitement as I did from walking along streams at night.

I think it helps to try a lot of different things, that way you can compare and find out what you're really interested in. Hope you find your true calling!