Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles

There have been numerous improvements in practical methods of captive reptile care during since the 1960s. Improvements have often been accompanied by advances in the knowledge of reptilian biology, but the recognition of the importance of welfare needs of the individual have been largely overlooked. This book fully examines the welfare of captive reptiles and discusses the positive and negative implications of general husbandry and research programmes. The editors have drawn together an international group of contributors providing clearly written and comprehensive accounts of aspects such as physiology, physical stress, diet, veterinary and environmental issues, normal behaviour, psychological stress and informed design in research.