Reptile

Does environmental enrichment impact the behaviour and welfare of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)?

Environmental enrichment has been shown to be an effective way to improve the welfare of captive animals. Although many studies have investigated the effects of enrichment on mammalian and avian species, there is comparatively little known about this in reptiles....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Crisante, A., Wilkinson, A., Pike, T. W. et al. 2025. Does environmental enrichment impact the behaviour and welfare of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106751.

Visual lateralization as an indicator of animal welfare

Functional specialization of the brain hemispheres has been observed across the animal kingdom, with the left hemisphere being associated with positive emotions while the right hemisphere is associated with negative emotions. In vertebrates, contralateral eye use is indicative of which...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Crisante, A., Burman, O. H. P., Pike, T. W. et al. 2025. Visual lateralization as an indicator of animal welfare. Biology Letters 21(10), 20250445.

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.

Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry

Artificial heating via lamp technology is a key feature of the husbandry of many captive animals, especially ectotherms. Short wave infrared (IRA) is theoretically more efficient in raising animal core temperature than medium (IRB) and long wave infrared (IRC) as...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Choi, S. Y., Michaels, C. J., Free, D. et al. 2025. Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(3), 164–172.

Mental Health and Well-being in Animals

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Fish, Gibbon, Goat, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Parrot, Pig, Rabbit, Reptile, Salmon, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, F. D. (Ed.) 2025. Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (3rd ed.). CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK. 464 p.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Tortoise husbandry and welfare

Keeping captive tortoises healthy and well is a significant challenge. Because they are ectotherms, these reptiles are totally dependent upon external sources to maintain body temperature and therefore metabolic function. Their physical environment is vital for them to remain healthy...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Williams, J. 2025. Tortoise husbandry and welfare. CABI. Boston, USA. 291 pp.

The impact of enriched housing on the behaviour and welfare of captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Substantial evidence demonstrates the benefits of environmental enrichment in mammals and birds. However, far less is known about this topic in reptiles—an increasingly popular group of pets. This study compared the effects of housing conditions (Standard vs. Enriched) on the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Rickman, E. L., Wilkinson, A., Pike, T. W. et al. 2025. The impact of enriched housing on the behaviour and welfare of captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 283, 106487.

The effects of light and novel enrichment on Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) behavior and physiology

Reptiles play an important role in education and conservation goals within the zoological community, yet evidence-based management protocols tailored to this group remain notably scarce. To redress this, a study was designed to assess behavioral and physiological changes to different...

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

Citation: Lynch, E. C., Roznik, E. A., Smith, D. et al. 2025. The effects of light and novel enrichment on Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) behavior and physiology. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106598.

Investigating the motivations of repetitive barrier interactions in Pogona vitticeps

Considerable research has demonstrated that the effective management of repetitive behaviours such as bar-biting and pacing relies upon understanding their motivations; however, this same research has revealed that repetitive behaviours can have a diverse array of motivations. In reptiles, repetitive...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Denommé, M., Tattersall, G. J. 2025. Investigating the motivations of repetitive barrier interactions in Pogona vitticeps. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 283, 106484.