Reptile

Moving toward evidence-based care: Measuring preferences in zoo-housed aquatic turtles using 24-h remote monitoring

Providing evidence-based care to animals is a common goal in zoos and aquariums. However, there are many understudied species with a lack of information available, which may result in suboptimal care for individuals of these species. Using preference tests to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: O'Brien, S. L., Koenig, S., Cronin, K. A. 2024. Moving toward evidence-based care: Measuring preferences in zoo-housed aquatic turtles using 24-h remote monitoring. Zoo Biology 43(5), 491–498.

Changes in enclosure use and basking behaviour associated with pair housing in Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko)

Due to often insufficient information, reptiles suffer welfare issues and increased mortality in captivity. In particular, the impact of the social environment remains poorly understood, despite evidence suggesting its' importance for welfare in a wide range of social animals. The...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Szabo, B. 2024. Changes in enclosure use and basking behaviour associated with pair housing in Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 272, 106179.

Husbandry protocols for juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) based on stress response to stocking density and dry-dock time

When necessary, sea turtles are held captive for veterinarian care and research purposes. Protocols and basic guidelines have been described for husbandry of sea turtles with veterinarian needs but not considering physiological indicators of animal welfare. Because all sea turtle...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Usategui-Martín, A., Liria - Loza, A., Valverde, R. A. et al. 2024. Husbandry protocols for juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) based on stress response to stocking density and dry-dock time. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 27(3), 589–601.

An overview of black tree monitor (Varanus beccarii) husbandry

This article describes the enclosure, environmental parameters, feeding, enclosure dynamics, breeding, handling, identification, and enrichment for zoo-housed black tree monitors.

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Reproduction, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Newton, R. 2023. An overview of black tree monitor (Varanus beccarii) husbandry. RATEL (Journal of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers) 50(3-4), 24-25.

Social structure and habitat design affect the impact of a novel feeding enrichment for alligators

Providing enrichment that expands the range of behavioral opportunities associated with food acquisition and environmental exploration is an important contributing factor to the well-being of zoo animals. These behaviors can be difficult to promote in carnivores, given their foraging strategies...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Reptile

Citation: Spain, M., Pearson, C., Rosenblatt, A. E. 2023. Social structure and habitat design affect the impact of a novel feeding enrichment for alligators. Zoo Biology 42(3), 383–389.

Use of alfaxalone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): Optimizing pharmacodynamics and evaluating cardiogenic effects via echocardiography

OBJECTIVE Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), a popular zoological companion species, frequently require sedation for procedures. A novel formulation of alfaxalone with preservatives was FDA approved for 28-day use after the vial is breached. Research has been performed in squamate species...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Webb, J. K., Keller, K. A., Chinnadurai, S. K. et al. 2023. Use of alfaxalone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): Optimizing pharmacodynamics and evaluating cardiogenic effects via echocardiography. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 261(1), 126–131.

Social behavior deficiencies in captive American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Understanding how the behavior of captive American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) congregations compares to wild congregations is essential to assessing the welfare of alligators in captivity. Wild alligator congregations perform complex social behaviors, but it is unknown if such behaviors occur...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Reptile

Citation: Walsh, Z. C., Olson, H., Clendening, M. et al. 2022. Social behavior deficiencies in captive American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 3(1), 131–146.

Evaluating environmental enrichment methods in three zoo-housed varanidae lizard species

Environmental enrichment has been shown to enhance the behavioural repertoire and reduce the occurrence of abnormal behaviours, particularly in zoo-housed mammals. However, evidence of its effectiveness in reptiles is lacking. Previously, it was believed that reptiles lacked the cognitive sophistication...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Waterman, J. O., McNally, R., Harrold, D. et al. 2021. Evaluating environmental enrichment methods in three zoo-housed varanidae lizard species. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 2(4), 716–727.

The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals (9th ed.)

The latest edition of the seminal reference on the care and management of laboratory and research animals. The newly revised ninth edition of The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals delivers an up-to-date...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Euthanasia, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Relocation & Transport, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Cephalopod, Crustacean, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Goat, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Invertebrate, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mole Rat, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Bird, Other Fish, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Sheep, Snake, Tree Shrew, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Golledge, H., Richardson, C. (Eds.) 2024. The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals (9th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. 1040 p.

Effects of habitat modifications on behavioral indicators of welfare for Madagascar giant hognose snakes (Leioheterodon madagascariensis)

Although historically understudied, the empirical evaluation of captive reptile welfare is becoming more common, and zoos continue making modifications to their reptile facilities with the goal of improving welfare. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of habitat modifications on...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Spain, M., Fuller, G., Allard, S. 2020. Effects of habitat modifications on behavioral indicators of welfare for Madagascar giant hognose snakes (Leioheterodon madagascariensis). Animal Behavior and Cognition 7(1), 70–81.