ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animal Behavior Internship Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Tennessee Aquarium

Aquarist Fellowship

Chattanooga, TN

$16/hr

... animal behavior, and learning appropriate quarantine and disease prevention protocols * Provides ... College student with science or animal related major * Able to commit to the full internship of 120 ...

Tennessee Aquarium

Aquarist Fellowship

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$16/hr

... animal behavior, and learning appropriate quarantine and disease prevention protocols * Provides ... College student with science or animal related major * Able to commit to the full internship of 120 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimal Behavior JobsAnimal Behavior Internship JobsAnimal Behavior Internship Jobs in Tennessee

Animal Behavior Internship information

What is an animal behavior internship?

An Animal Behavior Internship is a temporary, supervised work experience where interns learn about animal behavior through hands-on activities, research, and observation. Interns may work with a variety of animals in settings such as zoos, research labs, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or animal shelters. The goal is to gain practical skills and knowledge about animal behavior, data collection, animal care, and sometimes assisting in behavioral studies. These internships are valuable for students or recent graduates interested in careers in animal science, zoology, or veterinary medicine.

What types of hands-on experience can I expect during an animal behavior internship?

As an Animal Behavior Intern, you'll typically gain hands-on experience by observing animal interactions, assisting with behavioral research projects, and helping to implement enrichment activities designed to promote animal welfare. You may also participate in data collection, record-keeping, and even assist in training or socialization sessions under supervision. These responsibilities allow interns to develop practical skills in animal handling, data analysis, and teamwork while working closely with experienced animal behaviorists and other professionals.

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

To thrive as an Animal Behavior Intern, you typically need a background in animal science, biology, or psychology, along with a keen observational ability and basic research skills. Familiarity with data collection tools, behavioral analysis software, and sometimes animal handling certifications is often required. Strong communication, patience, and attention to detail help interns effectively record observations and work within research teams. These skills are vital for accurately studying animal behavior, ensuring safety, and contributing meaningful data to the field.

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

AspectAnimal Behavior InternshipAnimal Care Technician
Required CredentialsOften students or recent graduates, some certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, animal behavior facilitiesAnimal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, universities, animal behavior programsAnimal care facilities, veterinary practices, zoos
Common Search & ComparisonYes, often compared for entry-level animal rolesYes, common alternative for animal-related careers

In summary, Animal Behavior Internships focus on research and studying animal behavior, often requiring academic background and providing experience in labs or research settings. Animal Care Technicians primarily handle daily animal care in shelters or zoos, with less emphasis on research. Both roles are entry-level but serve different career paths within the animal industry.

What jobs can I get with an animal behavior internship?

An animal behavior internship can lead to jobs such as animal trainer, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, research assistant, or conservation technician. These roles often require knowledge of animal training, observation skills, and sometimes certifications in animal care or safety. Internships provide practical experience that can help qualify for entry-level positions in animal care and research settings.

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

The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Animal Behavior Internship jobs in Tennessee?

For Animal Behavior Internship jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior Internship jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior Internship jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Animal Behavior Internship jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Animal Behavior Internship job openings:

Animal Behavior Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Behavior Internship job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Northwest Passage/Teton Trek

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Animal Care Internship - Northwest Passage & Teton Trek
Species: Polar bears, black bears, grizzly bears, California sea lions, gray wolves, American elk, North American porcupine, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl.
Interns work directly with animal care staff to gain firsthand experience of all aspects of animal husbandry including diet prep, enclosure maintenance, training, enrichment, guest interactions and more. The goal of the program is to provide college students (or recent graduates) with pre-professional career experience through hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
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. Spring internships begin in January and end in May (deadline for application is due Nov 15). Summer internships will begin in May and end in August (deadline for application March 1). Fall internships begin in August and end in December (deadline for application due July 1). Selected participants must successfully complete a background check and TB test.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
  • Assisting staff in all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to, diet preparation, exhibit cleaning/disinfection, maintenance, training and enrichment, record keeping, and guest interactions. Contact with class one animals is minimal and directly supervised.
  • Actively observing animal's behavior
  • Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Assisting with the production of special events, animal celebrations, and awareness days
  • Maintaining animal areas, work areas, and all resources in a clean, organized manner
  • Completes a special project covering observations, research, enrichment or another area of interest.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a dependable, hard-working college student or recent graduate with an interest in the fields of education, interpretation, environmental science, biology, zoology, or zoo management or might be considering a change of career.
  • Must be able to work between 24-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm and good judgement while working with children and zoo guests.
  • Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions.

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

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.

Apply