Reptile welfare in captivity depends critically on providing appropriate thermal gradients and humidity levels that match species-specific requirements, with inadequate environments causing chronic physiological stress.
Reptiles in inadequate captive environments experience chronic thermal and osmotic stress that compromises every physiological system from digestion to immune function. Poorly shedding animals develop constriction injuries that cause pain and permanent damage. Metabolic bone disease from inadequate UV-B causes painful skeletal deformity. These conditions are common in captive reptiles because husbandry requirements are poorly understood by many owners at the point of purchase. The pet trade does a significant disservice to reptile welfare by selling animals without adequate provision of husbandry information and appropriate equipment.