Reptiles are increasingly popular as pets but face significant welfare challenges due to complex husbandry requirements that many owners struggle to meet.
Reptile welfare in the pet trade is a serious concern that is often underappreciated by both keepers and regulators. Unlike mammals, reptiles cannot effectively communicate pain or distress, making welfare assessment difficult. The physiological complexity of reptile husbandry — requiring precise temperature gradients, UV-B provision, appropriate humidity, and species-specific diets — means that inadequate care is extremely common. Many reptiles suffer chronically from metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and thermal stress due to inadequate keeper knowledge and equipment.