Zoological Science is published by the Zoological Society of Japan and devoted to publication of original articles, reviews, essays and editorials that cover the broad field of zoology. The journal was founded in 1984 as a result of the consolidation of Zoological Magazine (1888–1983) and Annotationes Zoologicae Japonenses (1897–1983), the former official journals of the Zoological Society of Japan. Each annual volume consists of six regular issues, one every two months.

With the advent of molecular biology and genetics in the last century, zoology has grown extensively as an interdisciplinary science for the study of animal diversification and evolution through the integration of various disciplines and techniques across biology. As an international journal, Zoological Science provides a forum for zoologists worldwide who address the scientific problems nature presents to us, armed with new ideas and discoveries, theoretical models, and experimental systems. Zoological Science strives to set a standard for zoology by providing high-quality reviewing and publication.

Scientific papers published in Zoological Science are recorded in ZooDiversity Web (https://zdw.zoology.or.jp/WhatsZdw), a search and access website that provides an attractive and easy-to-use internet search engine.