Zoology is important for many reasons. For one, the study of animals and communities provides insight into how "life" works, and, consequently, how we work. The higher mammals provide especially useful insight into the human world. Many Zoologists are directly involved with the conservation of threatened or endangered species; the maintenance of biodiversity is considered by many to be crucial to our survival. Animals also have a great impact on our lives; they provide us with food, with companionship, and with a sense of wonder (and sometimes annoyance!). These are just a few of the reasons why understanding animal life is important to humans.