What is the field of study that focuses on animal behavior in natural environments?

The field of study that focuses on animal behavior in natural environments is known as ethology. Ethology examines how animals interact with each other and with their environments, often in real-world settings rather than controlled laboratory conditions. Researchers in this field investigate various behaviors, such as mating rituals, social interactions, foraging strategies, and communication among species, observing them in their natural habitats to understand their ecological and evolutionary significance.

Ethology emphasizes an evolutionary perspective, seeking to explain why certain behaviors may have developed as adaptations to environmental pressures. This approach allows researchers to gain insights into the complexities of animal life and how behaviors contribute to survival and reproductive success in the wild. Other fields, such as ecology, zoology, and botany, while related, do not specifically concentrate on the behavioral aspects of animals in their natural settings. Ecology focuses more broadly on interactions within ecosystems, zoology examines animal biology and classification in general, and botany is dedicated to the study of plants. Therefore, ethology is the correct answer as it is specifically concerned with the study of animal behavior in natural environments.