![title_journal-MOBILE](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal-mobile/4774867-1-eng-US/title_journal-mobile_full_495.gif 196w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal-mobile/4774867-1-eng-US/title_journal-mobile_full_990.gif 196w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal-mobile/4774867-1-eng-US/title_journal-mobile_full_1468.gif 196w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal-mobile/4774867-1-eng-US/title_journal-mobile_full_1980.gif 196w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal-mobile/4774867-1-eng-US/title_journal-mobile_full_2475.gif 196w)
![title_journal](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal/4774871-1-eng-US/title_journal_full_495.gif 456w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal/4774871-1-eng-US/title_journal_full_990.gif 456w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal/4774871-1-eng-US/title_journal_full_1468.gif 456w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal/4774871-1-eng-US/title_journal_full_1980.gif 456w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/title_journal/4774871-1-eng-US/title_journal_full_2475.gif 456w)
Scientists learn about animals by observing them and from analyzing their DNA. Starting your own field journal is the first step towards understanding the wildlife in your area. Here's how:
![journalsketch](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/journalsketch/4774855-1-eng-US/journalsketch_full_495.gif 178w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/journalsketch/4774855-1-eng-US/journalsketch_full_990.gif 178w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/journalsketch/4774855-1-eng-US/journalsketch_full_1468.gif 178w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/journalsketch/4774855-1-eng-US/journalsketch_full_1980.gif 178w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/journalsketch/4774855-1-eng-US/journalsketch_full_2475.gif 178w)
![blend_num01](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num01/4766860-1-eng-US/blend_num01_full_495.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num01/4766860-1-eng-US/blend_num01_full_990.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num01/4766860-1-eng-US/blend_num01_full_1468.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num01/4766860-1-eng-US/blend_num01_full_1980.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num01/4766860-1-eng-US/blend_num01_full_2475.gif 44w)
Pick a type of animal or pet to watch in your area. Write down the following information:
- Date and time
- Weather conditions
- Exact location
![blend_num02](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num02/4766856-1-eng-US/blend_num02_full_495.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num02/4766856-1-eng-US/blend_num02_full_990.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num02/4766856-1-eng-US/blend_num02_full_1468.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num02/4766856-1-eng-US/blend_num02_full_1980.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num02/4766856-1-eng-US/blend_num02_full_2475.gif 44w)
Draw a picture of the animal.
![blend_num03](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num03/4766852-1-eng-US/blend_num03_full_495.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num03/4766852-1-eng-US/blend_num03_full_990.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num03/4766852-1-eng-US/blend_num03_full_1468.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num03/4766852-1-eng-US/blend_num03_full_1980.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num03/4766852-1-eng-US/blend_num03_full_2475.gif 44w)
Write down any observations you have about the way the animal looks or behaves.
![blend_num04](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num04/4766844-1-eng-US/blend_num04_full_495.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num04/4766844-1-eng-US/blend_num04_full_990.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num04/4766844-1-eng-US/blend_num04_full_1468.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num04/4766844-1-eng-US/blend_num04_full_1980.gif 44w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/wear-a-chimp-on-your-wrist/blend_num04/4766844-1-eng-US/blend_num04_full_2475.gif 44w)
Write down any questions that you have about the animal. Write DNA next to any questions that you think you could answer if you could go to the lab and analyze the animal's DNA.
Write the name(s) of the people who attended the field trip.
Include the date, time, and weather conditions for the day.
Write the location of the field trip.
![field journal page with name, date, weather, location, observations and drawings recorded by hand](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal/5835953-4-eng-US/new-field-journal_full_495.png 438w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal/5835953-4-eng-US/new-field-journal_full_990.png 876w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal/5835953-4-eng-US/new-field-journal_full_1468.png 1299w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal/5835953-4-eng-US/new-field-journal_full_1980.png 1632w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal/5835953-4-eng-US/new-field-journal_full_2475.png 2000w)
Record any observations about the animal's size, behavior, coloration, and skin texture.
Write "DNA" next to those questions you think you could answer if you could analyze the animal's DNA in a lab.
Using scientific illustration, sketch a picture of the animal and the environment where it was discovered.
Write the name(s) of the people who attended the field trip.
Include the date, time, and weather conditions for the day.
Write the location of the field trip.
Record any observations about the animal's size, behavior, coloration, and skin texture.
![field journal page with name, date, weather, location, observations and drawings recorded by hand](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal-mobile/5835992-3-eng-US/new-field-journal-mobile_full_495.png 438w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal-mobile/5835992-3-eng-US/new-field-journal-mobile_full_990.png 876w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal-mobile/5835992-3-eng-US/new-field-journal-mobile_full_1468.png 1299w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal-mobile/5835992-3-eng-US/new-field-journal-mobile_full_1980.png 1632w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/genetics/keeping-a-field-journal/new-field-journal-mobile/5835992-3-eng-US/new-field-journal-mobile_full_2475.png 2000w)
Write "DNA" next to those questions you think you could answer if you could analyze the animal's DNA in a lab.
Using scientific illustration, sketch a picture of the animal and the environment where it was discovered.
Image Credits:
lemur illustration, by Steve Thurston; journal page, ©AMNH/Carl Mehling