Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives

Abstract

Zoos and aquaria are paying increasing attention to environmental enrichment, which has proven an effective tool for the improvement of animal welfare. However, several ongoing issues have hampered progress in environmental enrichment research. Foremost among these is the taxonomic bias, which hinders our understanding of the value of enrichment for neglected groups, such as reptiles. In this study, we evaluated the status of environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos using a survey approach. A total of 121 zoos (32% response rate) completed our main survey, focusing on the use of different enrichment types for reptiles. We found significant differences in the use and/or type of enrichment between reptile groups. Tortoises (family Testudinidae) and monitor lizards (genus Varanus) were the most enriched taxa while venomous snakes were the least. The enrichment types most used across taxa were structural/habitat design and dietary. A second, more detailed, questionnaire followed, where participants were questioned about specific enrichment techniques. A total of 42 enrichment methods were reported, with two being represented across all taxa: increasing structural/thermal complexity and enrichment objects. Finally, we present information from participating zoos on enrichment goals, assessment methods, sources of information for enrichment ideas, and whether enrichment for reptiles is considered essential and/or implemented routinely. Results suggest that, although usage is widespread across European zoos, our understanding of enrichment for reptiles needs to be re-evaluated, since many of the techniques reported tread a fine line between basic husbandry and actual enrichment.

Sensory Stimulation as a Means of Sustained Enhancement of Well-Being in Leopard Geckos, Eublepharis macularius (Eublepharidae, Squamata)

“…Statements like this reflect the current debate, cf., [2][3][4], about welfare. Looking at this statement in more detail, it quickly becomes apparent that the majority of studies and interventions concern mammals and birds, while information on reptiles is rare [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. It is astonishing that the private keeping of reptiles seems to be an almost blind spot of scientific interest from the perspective of animal welfare science.…”

“…While enrichment for reptiles is used in some European zoos, Bartolomé et al [11] highlight in their recent study both the need to consider a wider array of enrichment types, as well as to increase the number of reptile species studied, and to validate different methods of welfare assessment. The factors that led zoos to enrich a specific reptile species were increased activity and food intake (i.e., ease of enrichment), a large body size, an advanced age and charisma as a zoo animal.…”

“…Food enrichment plays an important role in reptile husbandry [11] because these animals show comparatively little social behaviours and only very rarely show play behaviours. Food satisfies a strong basic need and generates a wide variety of behaviours because it appeals to different senses [38,[52][53][54][55].…”

“…This should be a basic requirement in any animal husbandry practice. However, in order to meet this requirement, it is necessary to evaluate husbandry practices in order to assess the resulting impact on welfare [7,[10][11][12]21,27]. Such data would make it easier for both private reptile keepers and official veterinarians to assess husbandry conditions.…”