Reptiles are the most commonly kept but least understood companion animals; inadequate understanding of their needs leads to chronic suffering from incorrect temperature, humidity, and diet.
Captive reptiles kept in inadequate conditions experience chronic suffering that can be difficult for inexperienced owners to recognize. Reptiles do not vocalize pain and suppress behavioral indicators, meaning illness progresses far before owners notice. Incorrect temperature ranges prevent normal metabolic function — a cold reptile cannot digest food, fight infection, or move normally. Metabolic bone disease from UV-B or calcium deficiency causes skeletal deformity and pathological fractures. Improper humidity causes respiratory infections and dysecdysis — retained shed that constricts limbs.