A technique used when observing animal behavior. In Focal Animal Sampling, you choose one animal or group of animals and watch it/them for a set length of time.
The main advantage to this is that it prevents you from overlooking low-key, boring, or hidden behaviors just because they aren't interesting enough to normally catch you attention. You just sit there and watch everything.
Compare to Ad Lib Sampling, Sequence Sampling, and Scan Sampling.