ABSTRACT
Reptiles are an incredibly diverse group and this diversity presents challenges for those animal care staff who are involved in their captive management. Reptile husbandry is often hindered by outdated anecdotal methodologies and a lack of detailed information on how species live and behave in nature. Behavioural diversity is inextricably linked to the environmental parameters that the species evolved alongside, and a failure to replicate these conditions in captivity is often the key reason for the behavioural inertia that many species are characterised by. When provided with complex, dynamic environments enabling choice and control, and equipped with the necessary furnishings and enrichment opportunities, reptiles are eminently capable of displaying sophisticated behavioural repertoires. Significant opportunities for future research exist, with multiple areas for further study that will enhance our understanding of the behavioural biology of this oft-underestimated group.
