This paper, third in a series of five reports on results of a national study of American attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors toward wildlife and natural habitats, focuses on the American public's attitudes, perceptions, and understanding of animals. Data were derived from questionnaires administered to 3,107 randomly selected Americans (18 years…

Reviews a study's findings on children's (N=267) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward animals and natural habitats. Research results indicate that existence of three stages in the development of children's perceptions of animals. Major differences in age, sex, ethnicity and urban/rural residence were also noted. (ML)

This review (extracted from a report of the same title published by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1983, 0-405-522/1101) identifies some of the social, behavioral, and demographic affects on young people's perceptions of the natural world in general and animals in particular. (JN)