Zoos play a critical role in amphibian conservation through captive assurance colonies, but the welfare of captive amphibians requires specialist knowledge and carefully designed environments.
Amphibians in zoos face welfare challenges that differ from those of mammals and birds. Their requirements for precise environmental conditions including temperature gradients, humidity, and appropriate substrate are demanding and poorly met in many facilities. Skin health is fundamental to amphibian welfare; inappropriate humidity causes desiccation. Stress responses in amphibians are less visible than in mammals, making welfare assessment more challenging. Specialist facilities with appropriate training achieve good welfare outcomes and provide genuinely significant conservation value.