Zoologists Zoologists study animal life. They study the development, origin, structure, heredity, classification, population, physiology, ecology, disease, and behavior of animals. Most of the time, they study the functiom, process, and structure of a particular animal. The duties of zoologists vary widely. It can vary from assisting in field studies to computer programming to DNA and RNA studies and genetic manipulations to biochemical analysis as well as collection and identification of insects. Some zoologists are involved in basic or applied teaching,writing, research, consultation, or administrat