ABSTRACT
Reptiles represent an immense group of organisms that are morphologically, ecologically, and behaviorally diverse. However, one commonality among all reptiles is that none are domesticated. Each is adapted to its natural habitat, and its behaviors are the means by which the organism enables itself to use the biotic and abiotic resources available to it or to cope with resource limitations. Providing a reptile with each of its resource needs does not ensure that the reptile will use them, if it cannot use its typical behaviors to do so. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on behaviors related to the critical needs of thermoregulation, acquisition of food and water, social interactions, and reproduction, to include considerations for promoting natural behaviors in a captive environment.
