Amphibians face critical welfare challenges from chytrid fungal disease, habitat loss, and the exotic pet trade, while captive care is often inadequate.
Amphibians represent both a welfare and conservation crisis simultaneously. As the most threatened vertebrate group, their populations are declining faster than most other taxa due to habitat loss and chytrid fungal disease. The pet trade in wild-caught species contributes to population declines and disease spread. Captive amphibians have complex humidity, temperature, and prey requirements that are poorly met in typical enclosures. Many die quickly from environmental stress. For the few species where captive breeding is established, husbandry requirements remain complex and most owners are underprepared. Both wild conservation and captive welfare require urgent attention.