Amphibians are increasingly important in zoo conservation programmes as wild populations collapse, but their welfare in captive environments is complex and often underappreciated.
Amphibian welfare in captivity is easily overlooked due to their cryptic behaviour and the misconception that they are insensate. In reality, they have demonstrable pain responses and stress physiologies that are disrupted by poor husbandry. Key welfare challenges include maintaining precise temperature gradients, appropriate humidity, UVB access for species that require it, and substrate depth for burrowing species. Social needs vary dramatically: some frog species are territorial and must be housed individually, while others are social and suffer in isolation. Handling causes acute stress and can strip skin mucus that serves as a critical immune barrier. Best practice involves minimal handling, species-appropriate environments, and enrichment through varied prey items and structural complexity.