How to Become a Zoologist After 12?

You want to work with animals right? And trek through jungles and see different species. If you are thinking about learning and one day opt for a career in zoology right after your 12th examination. Read this full article as it will give you a complete brief about whether you should opt for this career or not.

 

 

Zoology, it’s basically the wild side of biology, where you swap test tubes for field boots and spend your days figuring out why giraffes do that weird neck thing or how dolphins manage to be smarter than half your high school class. It’s not just about “liking animals”. You gotta actually study their anatomy, behavior, and all that geeky classification business.

If you’re in India, here’s how it usually happens. First, pick the right subjects in your 12th, bio’s a must and chemistry. Then there’s college, where you’ll need to get into a B.Sc. program with zoology or life sciences. Start brushing up on your skills now, because you’ll need them for entrance exams and applications. 

Also Read: Job Opportunities & Salary Offered After Completing BSc Degree 

Career as Zoologist: Quick Facts

Check out the quick facts on a Career as a Zoologist from here:

Category	Details
Field of Study	Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences
Minimum Eligibility	Class 12 (Science stream with Biology as a compulsory subject)
Top Degrees	BSc in Zoology, MSc in Zoology, PhD in Zoology
Additional Certifications	Diploma in Animal Behavior, Wildlife Conservation, Fieldwork Internships
Specializations	Wildlife Biology, Marine Biology, Entomology, Ornithology, Ecology, etc.
Work Areas	Research Labs, Wildlife Conservation NGOs, Forest Departments, National Parks, and Academic Institutions
Top Employers	Zoological Survey of India, National Geographic, WWF, CSIR, State Forest Departments
Average Starting Salary	₹3 to ₹5 LPA (may vary based on qualifications and experience)
Mid-Level Salary	₹6 to ₹10 LPA (with MSc or field specialisation)
Senior-Level Salary	₹10+ LPA (PhD holders, international roles, or senior researchers)
Required Skills	Analytical thinking, field observation, lab research, teamwork, communication, statistical analysis
Job Roles	Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, Research Scientist, Ecologist, Professor, Zoo Curator
Nature of Work	Fieldwork, Lab Analysis, Research Writing, Species Documentation, Conservation Strategies
Work Environment	Outdoors (forests, sanctuaries, oceans) and Indoors (labs, offices, universities)
Growth Prospects	Opportunities for research grants, foreign fellowships, academic progression, or specialisation

Also Read: Courses After BSc Zoology 

Types of Zoologists

Zoologists can specialize in various fields depending on their interests:

1. Mammalogist

 A mammalogist is basically a full-time mammal specialist who specialises in biology, ecology and conservation of mammals. You can opt for a career in wildlife conservation NGOs and various forest deparments.

2. Ornithologist

Ornithologists study the birds like their migration, nesting and communication. And they do observations of the birds by using tools like binoculars, GPS devices (mainly for the tracking purposes)

Also Read: Top animal health Courses & Certifications Online  

3. Herpetologist

Herpetologists study reptiles and amphibians. Research on the venom toxicity and the effects of habitat degradation. It is mainly a field work like you will go to dense forests, wetlands and even deserts.

4. Ichthyologist

Ichthyologists specialize in fishes both freshwater and marine. They understand the aquatic ecosystems and also maintain the biodiversity in water bodies.

5. Entomologist

Entomologist is a very interesting job where you explore the world of insects. It is a very highly significant field. They work in agriculture, pest control and forensic science.

6. Marine Biologist/Zoologist

They study marine life and they analyze marine food webs, sea animal behaviors and the health of aquatic habitats.

7. Parasitologist

Parasitologists focus on the relationship between the hosts and the parasites. They research mainly for the public health and concerning diseases like malaria and other related diseases.

8. Ethologist

Ethologists study how animals interact with each other and their environment. Careers you can choose animal trainers or research scientists.

9. Evolutionary Biologist

Zoologists in this field trace the evolution of species across millennia. They analyze fossil records, genetic sequences etc.

10. Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists conserving wild species and they work mainly in government and non-government conservation agencies.

11. Ecologist

Ecologists study how animals interact with their surroundings, including plants, terrain and climate.

12. Paleozoologist

Paleozoologists study the ancient animal remains to understand prehistoric ecosystems. They do discoveries like dinosaur fossils and ancient species etc.

Eligibility to Become a Zoologist

To become a zoologist in India you need to eligible as per these points:

• Class 10 (Secondary) Completion of Class 10 from a recognized board.
• Class 12 (Higher Secondary) Class 12 with Science stream Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) 50%.
• Undergraduate Degree BSc in Zoology/Biology/Life sciences Bachelor of Sciences.
• Post Graduate Degree MSc in Zoology/Wildlife Biology/Animal Science Master of Sciences.
• PhD (Optional but Recommended) PhD in Zoology or specialization Doctorate level research MSc.

Other certifications Wildlife courses, field practicums, animal care diplomas Short term experiences.

Qualifications to Become a Zoologist

• Bachelor's Degree (BSc Zoology): A three-year undergraduate course providing a basic understanding of animal biology, physiology and ecology.
• Master's Degree (MSc Zoology): A two-year postgraduate course building upon bachelor-level courses involving additional analysis of the zoology breadth and some research.
• Ph.D. in Zoology: Doctorate level study intended for academics or high levels of governmental work.

Zoology Courses and Entrance Exams

Zoology courses are offered at undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, diploma, and certification levels. These programs allow students to explore topics such as animal physiology, ecology, biodiversity, evolution, molecular biology, and conservation. Entrance exams vary depending on the level and institution.

Also Read:

• Top BSc Biology Courses Without NEET 2025 Exam 
• Top Colleges of Delhi University for Science Courses  

Skills and Knowledge Required to Become a Zoologist

1. Scientific Knowledge

Study of animal anatomy, physiology etc. Also understanding of the ecosystems, food chains, evolutionary biology concepts, study of animal behavior.

2. Research & Analytical Skills

Observation in details during the animal behavior studies tracking, monitoring and studying species in their natural habitat.

3. Field Skills & Physical Fitness

You need physical fitness to navigate forests, deserts, marine sites for very long hours. So you need to be healthy enough to work.

Also Read: Highest Paying Government Jobs After BSc

4. Technical & Digital Skills

Understanding of the software that works to understand the genetic and molecular data use in evolutionary biology.

5. Soft Skills & Interpersonal Attributes

Writing papers, creating reports and also public education is crucial for publishing and teaching. Also you need a problem solving mind in emergencies.

6. Ethical & Legal Awareness

You need a wildlife protection knowledge of Indian and global laws.

Benefits of Becoming a Zoologist

Work with nature, research opportunities, diverse work settings and even you get travel opportunities around the globe.

Career Opportunities for a Zoologist

A career in zoology is ideal for individuals with a deep curiosity about animal life.

1. Academic and Research Careers

Zoologists with strong academic backgrounds in MSc or PhD holders can pursue roles in teaching and also research at universities and national institutions.

2. Wildlife & Conservation Careers

Work in the field to protect wildlife and biodiversity. This is ideal for those people who are very passionate about nature. You can be a wildlife biologist, conservation officer, field biologist and wildlife forensic expert.

3. Animal Healthcare and Welfare Careers

4. Environmental and Ecological Consulting

7. Science Communication and Education

If you have strong writing or speaking skills you can enter the world of education, awareness and communication. You can become a science writer, zoology teacher and even documentary filmmaker.