Fifteen Belmont students in Dr. John Niedzwiecki’s Biology 3300 Animal Behavior class have been conducting research projects at The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere since February. Students are gathering data to test scientific hypotheses about the behavior of zoo animals. Each group met with a zookeeper to learn a little about their focal animals, such as how to tell them apart and what type of behaviors they are likely to observe. Some of the groups have designed their projects to help the zookeepers answer questions related to improving animal care at the zoo, while others are testing basic animal behavior principles. Students will present their research to the Nashville Zoo staff and the general public in April.