Wildlife

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR BAG203

Animal behaviour skills are valuable for anyone dealing with animals from zookeepers and vermin controllers, to farmers and animal breeders.

Psychologists have long used the study of animal behaviour as a way of gaining insights into human behaviour.

The study of animal behaviour provides a foundation for animal training, or more generally, animal care. It also provides very real insights and a foundation for understanding human behaviour. If you wish, you may focus on a particular animal or group of animals. Let your tutor know your preference.

Animals do share some behavioural characteristics with people but it can be dangerous to assume too much similarity. Animal behaviour is far less affected by choices reached through reasoning.

Behaviour is any externally observable activity of an animal. In general, it includes:

• Movement of parts of the body
• Stopping expected movement
• Secretions from the body
• Changes in body colour.

It is assumed that all animal behaviour is an adaptation designed to support survival, either directly or indirectly. However, this is not always the case. Animals can behave self-destructively, out of habit, or out of boredom, just as humans can. To better understand the behaviour, we should also consider what motivates it.

Animal Welfare

Do you have goals and aspirations for a career in helping animals? 

ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Learn to manage wildlife - free or captive

• Start a business or career working in animal care and conservation.
• A comprehensive course for school leavers or career changers to be a wildlife professional. A 1500 hour qualification studied by distance learning.
• Learn about animals and the environment.
• Understand more about the scope of wildlife conservation and management.
• Choose from Elective Modules to specialise in areas you are especially interested in - including animal types, nature park management, and ecotourism.

CARNIVORE ANIMALS BEN219

Carnivorous Animals distance learning course - learn about their evolution, biology, behaviours and more.

• Gain essential knowledge on the physiological and behavioural traits that differentiate carnivores from other mammals.
• Learn to explain differences in the biology of different species of carnivores.
• Designed, written and taught by animal scientists and zoologists from the UK, Australia and America.
• Study for professional development.

Certificate in ZooKeeping VEN022

This course will provide you with flexible learning experiences that will help start you on your way to a career in zoo keeping.
 
For zoo keepers, volunteers or anyone with a passion for working with wildlife.

HERPETOLOGY

INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS BEN218

Study the anatomy, behaviour, taxonomy and physiology of microscopic through to larger animals from worms and snails to arthropods and insects. Learn about invertebrate significance to human health and agriculture.

MARINE STUDIES I BEN103

Study Marine Biology from Home

Develop a knowledge of marine life and ecology, whether for work or general interest. Learn about marine environments (weather, nutrient cycle, reefs, shallow and deep water environments, etc) marine animals, particularly more complex animals (e.g. fish, mammals), and also human impacts upon marine environments.

MARINE STUDIES II - BEN203

Study Marine Studies II from home

This course follows on from Marine studies I, extending your knowledge of a wide variety of marine organisms. It works through many types of marine organisms, focusing mostly on those not covered as well in Marine Studies II (This includes: Protists, Sponges, Marine plants, Cnidarians, Worms, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms, Non Bony Fish, Selected Bony Fish and selected Marine Mammals).

Marsupial Biology and Management

Learn About this Small but Significant Group of Animals

Marsupials are a relatively small group of animals, making up just 5% of the world’s known animals. However, they are a significant group of animals in Australasia where more than two thirds of the known 330 species are found. They are also important in the Americas where 95 species are found. 

Study this course to understand the diversity, biology, behaviour, and wellbeing of marsupial animals and apply that understanding to better manage individual animals or populations in the wild or in captivity.

ORNITHOLOGY BEN102

Study Ornithology

PRIMATES

VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY BEN104

Study Vertebrate Zoology by Distance Education

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BEN206

Study Wildlife Conservation

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BEN205

Study Wildlife Management via Distance Education.

If you are interested in a career with wildlife, this course is a great starting point. This course provides students with a broad based introduction to wildlife management that can be applied to all types of wildlife around the globe.

It can serve as a course in its own right or as part of a higher qualification in environmental or nature park management. This course can enhance career opportunities or job prospects for any of the following:

• Zoo keepers
• Wildlife Assistant
• Pet Shop staff
• Environmental Assessor
• Interpretation/Tourism Officer
• Animal Care Assistant
• Ranger

Alone this does not make you a fully qualified professional; but it can be a first step; or for those already working with animals, it can be a way of furthering your prospects for advancement

ZOO KEEPING BEN208

Get the foundation knowledge to kick start your career

Study Zoo Keeping today and gain a foundation knowledge and skills for working as a Zoo Keeper. You will cover the many aspects of zoo keeping such as:

• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Health Care
• Environmental Enrichment
• Feed & Nutrition
• Training and Behaviour Management
• Captive Breeding

Improve your career and employment possibilities to work with wildlife, in zoos, wildlife parks, reserves.