Jenn,



You traditionally need to have a degree in biology or zoology, or barring that strong practical experience working with difficult species and successfully breeding them or perhaps working for a nature center or vet clinic. Other skills certainly help though such as experience with operant conditioning or in exhibit design and construction. Volunteering such as you're talking about is a good way of getting some practical experience in a formal setting. A lot of zoos are also starting to look for people with informal educational skills as well since zookeeping isn't all about scooping you-know-what, but is starting to include more direct educational contact with the public.
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Matt Campbell

25 years herp keeping experience

Full-time zookeeper

Personal collection - 21 snakes (9 genera), 20 lizards (4 genera), 6 chelonians (2 genera)

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• beauties question - Garteaser4, Thu Nov 17 22:07:50 2005
• RE: beauties question - Matt Campbell, Thu Nov 17 23:17:07 2005
• Off topic. - jennrosefx, Thu Nov 17 23:29:19 2005
• RE: Off topic. - Matt Campbell, Fri Nov 18 20:07:51 2005
• RE: beauties question - Garteaser4, Sat Nov 19 13:07:59 2005
• RE: beauties question - norsmis, Fri Nov 18 08:20:47 2005
• Pics - norsmis, Fri Nov 18 08:21:50 2005
• RE: beauties question - HaikuDan, Sat Nov 19 13:05:17 2005