Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class on Earth. Zoo amphibian programmes play a critical conservation role, but captive welfare requires attention to temperature, humidity, and disease management.
Amphibian welfare in zoo settings requires precise environmental management that meets the physiological needs of highly sensitive animals. Unlike mammals and birds, amphibians cannot regulate body temperature internally; their entire physiology is calibrated to environmental conditions. Temperature, humidity, UV provision, substrate moisture, and photoperiod must all be managed within species-specific ranges. Disease management is particularly critical: chytrid and ranavirus can spread rapidly through a collection with catastrophic consequences. The conservation significance of zoo amphibian collections means that welfare and breeding success are inseparable — stressed amphibians reproduce poorly, and reproductive success is the primary justification for maintaining insurance populations.