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Animal Behavior Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

R&D Intern

Montvale, NJ ยท On-site

$15.75 - $21/hr

Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who ... safe behaviors including use of safety equipment and equipment safeguards, and champions the ...

Displays behaviors and attitude that cultivates and maintains relationships with staff, students ... Animal Care Certificate of Completion Arc Broward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by ...

Displays behaviors and attitude that cultivates and maintains relationships with staff, students ... Animal Care Certificate of Completion Arc Broward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by ...

Displays behaviors and attitude that cultivates and maintains relationships with staff, students ... Animal Care Certificate of Completion Arc Broward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by ...

R&D Temp

Montvale, NJ ยท On-site

Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who ... Seeking intern to support our Corporate R&D Laboratory, assisting with analytical testing in ...

R&D Intern

Montvale, NJ ยท On-site

$15.75 - $21/hr

... Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH), and Human Nutrition and Health (HNH), providing support to ... safe behaviors including use of safety equipment and equipment safeguards, and champions the ...

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Animal Behavior Intern information

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How much do animal behavior intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal behavior intern in the United States is $21.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $27.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animal behavior intern do?

An Animal Behavior Intern assists with observing, recording, and analyzing animal behaviors in various settings such as zoos, research centers, or animal shelters. Their duties may include helping with behavioral enrichment programs, collecting data, assisting with research projects, and supporting animal care staff. This internship provides hands-on experience and helps interns learn about animal welfare, training, and research methods under the supervision of experienced professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal behavior intern?

To thrive as an Animal Behavior Intern, you need a background in animal science, psychology, or biology, along with basic understanding of animal behavior principles. Familiarity with data collection tools, behavioral observation software, and sometimes animal handling certifications is often required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and patience are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately assessing animal behaviors and contributing to research or care programs in professional settings.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect as an animal behavior intern?

As an Animal Behavior Intern, you'll typically be involved in observing animal behaviors, assisting in behavioral enrichment programs, and collecting data to support ongoing research or animal care initiatives. These experiences provide valuable exposure to both the scientific and practical aspects of animal behavior in settings like zoos, research facilities, or wildlife sanctuaries. Working closely with experienced animal behaviorists and animal care staff, you'll gain insight into animal welfare practices and develop skills in behavioral observation, data analysis, and teamwork. This hands-on learning is an excellent foundation for future roles in animal care, research, or further academic study.

What is the difference between Animal Behavior Intern vs Animal Care Technician?

AspectAnimal Behavior InternAnimal Care Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a degree in animal behavior, biology, or related fieldHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications in animal care
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, zoos, or animal behavior labsAnimal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos, or pet care facilities
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, universities, zoosAnimal shelters, veterinary clinics, pet stores
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in animal behavior researchLearning about animal care and handling roles

The Animal Behavior Intern role focuses on studying and understanding animal behavior, often within research or academic settings, requiring relevant coursework or degrees. In contrast, the Animal Care Technician primarily handles daily animal care tasks in shelters or clinics. Both roles are entry-level but serve different industry needs and environments.

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What cities are hiring for Animal Behavior Intern jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Behavior Intern job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Behavior jobs?

The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs are:

What states have the most Animal Behavior Intern jobs?

States with the most job openings for Animal Behavior Intern jobs include:

Infographic showing various Animal Behavior Intern job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,739 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Pachyderm (Fall 2026)

Memphis, TN โ€ข On-site

Memphis Zoo
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreationย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

About the Memphis Zoo
Today, the Memphis Zoo serves as a crown jewel for the city and is one of Memphis' highest attended attractions. The Zoo's conservation programs circle the globe - from a wildlife hospital in Southeast Asia to local efforts to save the Louisiana pine snake. Our vision is to preserve wildlife through education, conservation and research. Our Team and Volunteers are dedicated to providing a naturalistic and enriching sanctuary for our animals, and a friendly, entertaining and educational experience for our guests. Together, we are building one of the world's great zoos.
Animal Care Internship - Pachyderm
The Memphis Zoo has an exciting internship opportunity with the Pachyderm team. Interns will work directly with keepers to gain experience on a wide variety of elephant husbandry and learn the intricacies of caring for captive elephants through enrichment, training, medical procedures, foot work, diet preparation, cleaning, exhibit maintenance, footage review and record keeping. The ideal candidate for this position should be seeking a career in the animal care field.
Species: The Pachyderm team cares for five geriatric African elephants. Though the internship is predominately with elephants, interns will also have the opportunity to work with Southern White Rhinos, Grant's Zebra and Scimitar-Horned Oryx.
This internship is unpaid but housing may be available seasonally. The program spans 10-12 weeks and participants will be scheduled up to 40hrs per week. Internship start dates are flexible. Typically, there is only one intern per season.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
  • Assisting in the facilitation of formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Actively observing animals' behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to Keepers and Managers.
  • Preparing daily diets and maintains accurate records of assigned animals.
  • Appropriately cleaning and disinfecting assigned animal enclosures/habitats according to written protocols and ensures a sanitary and safe environment.
  • Completing a special project covering observations, research, enrichment or another area of interest deemed appropriate by intern coordinator/managers.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a dependable, hard-working college student or recent graduate with an interest in the fields of Zoology, Biology, or Science related field.
  • Must have completed their 1st year at an accredited college or university.
  • Must be able to work up to 40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm and good judgement while working with children and zoo guests.
  • Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions.
  • Must be highly motivated, organized, and enjoy working in a team environment.

Beneficial Skills:
  • Proficiency in Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the intern will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements:
  • 18 years or older.
  • Clear background check.
  • Clear TB screening.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of internship are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-internship screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Internships page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.