WHAT DOES A ZOOKEEPER DO ALL DAY?

What does a Zookeeper do all day? Have you ever stopped to wonder exactly WHAT they do all day? You may be surprised at the answer.

As children, we often had dreams of doing amazing jobs. Perhaps you wanted to be an astronaut, a firefighter or veterinarian. But, as we get older, most of us find ourselves doing something completely different.

Those jobs seem like childhood dreams, but there are still millions of people who do them every day. Our country's workforce is full of many varied and interesting jobs that most of us don't think about often, or perhaps even take for granted.

When you take your children to the zoo, have you noticed the people behind the scenes? You might see them feeding or grooming the animals, or maybe just walking through enclosures checking to make sure everything is as it should be. 

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So What DOES a Zookeeper Do?

A zookeeper's daily routine usually involves cleaning the animals, watching their behavior, taking care of the exhibit, feeding, cleaning, and maintaining the animals.  They also are involved with the animals diet, keeping records and providing enrichment for the animals that they are in charge of. 

How Much Do Zookeepers Make Per Year?

According to the website Indeed.com, they make an average of $28,000 a year.

Do You Have to Go to College to Be a Zookeeper?

Yes, you will need a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Animal Biology, Wildlife Biology, Zoology, or Ecology.

What Other Type of Jobs are Available at a Zoo?

You could work at a zoo as a Vet Tech, Veterinarian, Zoologist, Aquarist, Zoo Director, or General Curator. 

What Skills Do a Zookeeper Need?

Since you will be outdoors and in a variety of conditions, you will need to be fit and in good health.  You would also need to be confident, have a love of animals, and have general scientific observation skills. 

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