Book

03november2010
Publisher: Springer, 1994
Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles

This extensive handbook examines the welfare of reptiles in captivity. The positive and negative implications of general reptile husbandry are discussed.
The editors are both experts in the field and they managed to draw together a large, international group of writers. Separate chapters discuss different aspects, such as physiology, physical and psychological stress, diet, normal behaviour and veterinary and environmental issues. Also research designs are discussed. Stress is a topic that is treated in detail, the effects of stress on reproduction, on the immune system and metabolism.
The introduction states that very little is known about reptiles and how they should be kept. For a long time reptiles were considered inferior to mammals and birds, because the latter evolved later in evolution. The developments in reptile husbandry over the last few years produce even more questions. But it is clear that the more we know about reptiles, the more we realize that they are not insensitive, primitive animals.

The book is well written and therefore useful for anyone who keeps reptiles. It is primarily written for veterinarians, reptile breeders, keepers in zoos and sanctuaries and zoologists.


Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles
Clifford Warwick, Fredric L. Frye and James B. Murphy (editors)
Publisher: Springer, 1994
ISBN-10: 0412550806
ISBN-13: 978-0412550805