Reptiles are increasingly popular as pets but face significant welfare challenges from incorrect husbandry; temperature, lighting, and diet requirements are complex and frequently inadequately met.
Companion reptile welfare is compromised by the complexity of their environmental needs and the widespread underestimation of those needs by prospective owners and retailers. Reptiles are ectothermic — their body temperature is entirely determined by their environment — making thermal provision critical in a way that has no equivalent in mammalian pet keeping. UVB lighting for vitamin D synthesis, appropriate humidity for species from different climates, and live prey for specialist feeders all require knowledge and investment beyond typical small pet expectations.