Reptile

Chelonian sedation and anesthesia—A retrospective assessment of protocols, outcomes, and challenges in 250 cases (2000–2023)

Objective: To assess the anesthetic events of chelonians at a university hospital, identify shortcomings with record-keeping, and evaluate anesthesia-related mortality. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated medical records of sedated or anesthetized chelonians between March 2000 and October 2023. Anesthetic parameters...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Thorbrogger, C. J., Rasys, A. M., Gise, B. T. et al. 2026. Chelonian sedation and anesthesia—A retrospective assessment of protocols, outcomes, and challenges in 250 cases (2000–2023). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 264(2)

Effects of substrate provision and associated cleaning practices on welfare indicators in eastern long-nosed vipers (Vipera ammodytes meridionalis) during growth and development

There is a need to assess the impact of husbandry and exhibitry practices on under-studied taxa, including reptiles and amphibians, to ensure animals experience good welfare. It is common practice to house snakes in enclosures on paper substrate, particularly when...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Powell, D. M., Augustine, L., Edes, A. N. et al. 2025. Effects of substrate provision and associated cleaning practices on welfare indicators in eastern long-nosed vipers (Vipera ammodytes meridionalis) during growth and development. Zoo Biology 44(6), 544–561.

Effects of feeding graded levels of gelatin content on growth, feed utilization and health status in head-started leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) have been successfully housed in captive conditions for over 1 year while receiving a gelatin-based artificial diet. However, the levels of gelatin in the feed formulations for this species were not optimized. Here, 2-month-old juvenile...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Kanghae, H., Boonthong, S., Foong, D. S. et al. 2025. Effects of feeding graded levels of gelatin content on growth, feed utilization and health status in head-started leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). Zoo Biology 44(6), 631–643.

Try before you buy: Preferences for naturalistic-style enclosures are influenced by experience in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

To ensure their welfare in captivity, reptiles are typically provided enclosures that aim to mimic their natural environment, as such enclosures may be preferred and better facilitate important behaviours. Research has frequently supported this principle, and has often found that...

Year Published: 2026Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Denommé, M., Tattersall, G. J. 2026. Try before you buy: Preferences for naturalistic-style enclosures are influenced by experience in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 295, 106887.

Effects of different feed types on intestinal microbial community diversity and intestinal development of newborn Siamese crocodiles

Conventional alligator farming, characterized by reliance on chilled fish meat, faces significant challenges, including risks of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances. These issues heighten increasing disease susceptibility and threaten industry sustainability, underscoring the critical need for developing nutrient-dense, low-pathogenicity compound...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & Management, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Reptile

Citation: Zhang, X., Wu, J., Wang, C. et al. 2025. Effects of different feed types on intestinal microbial community diversity and intestinal development of newborn Siamese crocodiles. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 7(1).

Laying the groundwork for reptile welfare assessment in zoos and private keeping: A literature-based proposal

With the increasing number and diversity of reptile species kept in zoological facilities and households, their welfare in captivity warrants structured and consistent evaluation. However, focused research on reptile welfare remains limited within the broader field of animal welfare science....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Yeh, H.-M., Huang, C.-C., Chiang, Y.-W. 2025. Laying the groundwork for reptile welfare assessment in zoos and private keeping: A literature-based proposal. Animal Welfare 34, e70.

Evidence of mood states in reptiles

There is increasing evidence that non-human animals experience ‘free-floating’ mood states, but such evidence is lacking in reptiles, hindering the debate as to their affective capacity and with subsequent implications for welfare. Here, we investigated the presence of a mood...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Moszuti, S. A. et al. 2025. Evidence of mood states in reptiles. Animal Cognition 28(1), 52.

A persistent abnormal repetitive behaviour in a false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas)

Stereotypies (a subset of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviour [ARB]) are characterised by an unchanging pattern of behaviour and in captive animals can be associated with poor welfare. Although well known in certain taxa, little is known about both welfare and ARBs...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Michaels, C. J., Gini, B. F., Clifforde, L. 2020. A persistent abnormal repetitive behaviour in a false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas). Animal Welfare 29(4), 371-378.

Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods

Research in ecology and wildlife biology remains crucial for increasing our knowledge and improving species management and conservation in the midst of the current biodiversity crisis. However, obtaining information on population status often involves invasive sampling of a certain number...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Identification Method, RestraintAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Fish, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Fish, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Zemanova, M. A. 2020. Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods. Wildlife Biology 2020(1), no page numbers.

How to handle your dragon: Does handling duration affect the behaviour of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)?

Reptiles are popular as pets and it is, therefore, important to understand how different aspects of housing and husbandry impact on their behaviour and welfare. One potential cause of stress in captive reptiles is interaction with humans; in particular, the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Stockley, V. R., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. H. P. 2020. How to handle your dragon: Does handling duration affect the behaviour of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)? Animals 10(11), 2116.