mammalogists

Mammalogists are scientists who study mammals, the vertebrate animals in the class Mammalia. The field encompasses taxonomy and systematics, anatomy and physiology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Researchers may focus on living species or on fossil relatives (paleomammalogy), and many work at universities, natural history museums, zoos, wildlife agencies, or conservation organizations.

Work commonly involves field surveys to document species distributions, abundance, and habitat use; capture and handling of animals; tagging and radio or GPS telemetry; camera-trap and acoustic monitoring; and genetic sampling for population genetics and phylogenetics. In the laboratory, mammalogists study anatomy, physiology, reproductive biology, neurobiology, and dental morphology, and they analyze data from observational studies and experiments. Some researchers specialize in anatomy, dental anatomy, or functional morphology to understand how mammals adapt to different environments.

Subfields include mammalian ecology, behavior, and conservation biology; quantitative methods; and paleontology focusing on fossil mammals to understand evolutionary relationships and historical diversity. Some mammalogists contribute to public health and wildlife management by studying disease reservoirs, zoonoses, and human–wildlife interactions. They may collaborate with ecologists, veterinarians, and geneticists to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem health.

Impact and output: mammalogists publish in scientific journals such as Journal of Mammalogy and Mammalian Species monographs, contribute to field guides and museum catalogs, and inform policy and conservation planning. Education typically involves a bachelor’s degree in biology or zoology, with many positions requiring graduate study or a PhD. The field supports understanding of mammal diversity, evolution, and the role of mammals in ecosystems worldwide.