Introduction: Health and welfare of captive reptiles

Abstract

During the past few decades, there have been numerous improvements in practical methods of reptile care. However, these gains in enhanced management and animal well-being have been accompanied by revelations emphasizing the intricacies of reptilian biology and, further, the needs of the individual. In effect, the more that is learnt about reptiles, the more apparent become the potential deficiencies associated with their lives in captivity. Improvements to the lifestyles of captive reptiles, in at least some professional centres, seem set to continue. It is, however, essential that any optimism is tempered by the clear prospect that it may never be possible to hold these animals, or other wildlife, under artificial conditions where they do not, either consciously or otherwise, notice that they are not where they ‘should’ be or where they are not adversely affected by their captivity.