Zoology, derived from Ancient Greek ζῷον ('animal') and λόγος ('study'), is the scientific discipline dedicated to understanding all aspects of animals, both living and extinct. Its comprehensive scope includes their structure, embryology, classification, habits, distribution, and how they interact within ecosystems.

While human interest in animals dates back to prehistoric times, the formal study of zoology originated with Aristotle in the 4th century BC, who systematically investigated animal anatomy, development, and adaptations. The field evolved significantly during the Renaissance with figures like Carl Linnaeus and Charles Darwin, whose groundbreaking work on classification and evolution formed modern zoological principles.

Today, zoology spans diverse disciplines from physiology and ecology to molecular biology, profoundly shaped by discoveries such as Francis Crick and James Watson's elucidation of DNA in 1953, which opened up areas like cell and developmental biology. This dynamic science continues to unravel the complexities of animal life, vital for conservation and deepening our understanding of Earth's biodiversity.