Reptiles including ball pythons, bearded dragons, and leopard geckos are among the most commonly kept exotic pets, often with welfare needs poorly understood.
Reptile welfare suffers from a widespread assumption that they are low-maintenance pets that do not feel pain or stress. Behavioral evidence and neurological research challenge this. Incorrect temperature, humidity, UV provision, and diet cause chronic suffering that owners often fail to recognize. Welfare-informed reptile keeping requires significant investment in appropriate enclosures and specialized knowledge.