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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/118966
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | A review of welfare assessment methods in reptiles, and preliminary application of the Welfare Quality® Protocol to the pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, using animal-based measures |
Other Titles: | A review of welfare assessment methods in reptiles, and preliminary application of the Welfare Quality (R) Protocol to the pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, using animal-based measures |
Author: | Benn, A.L. McLelland, D. Whittaker, A.L. |
Citation: | Animals, 2019; 9(1):1-22 |
Publisher: | MDPI AG |
Issue Date: | 2019 |
ISSN: | 2076-2615 2076-2615 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Amelia L. Benn, David J. McLelland and Alexandra L. Whittaker |
Abstract: | Reptiles are held at wildlife parks and zoos for display and conservation breeding programs and are increasingly being kept as pets. Reliable indicators of welfare for reptiles need to be identified. Current guidelines for the captive management of reptiles utilize resource-based, rather than animal-based indicators; the latter being a more direct reflection of affective state. In this paper we review the literature on welfare assessment methods in reptiles with a focus on animal-based measures. We conclude that, whilst a number of physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare have been applied in reptiles, there is need for further validation of these methods across the diversity of species within the Class. Methods of positive welfare state assessment are comparatively understudied and need elucidation. Finally, we examine some widely-used welfare assessment tools in mammals and explore the application of the Welfare Quality® Protocol to the endangered pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis. We propose that this framework can form the basis for the development of taxon-specific tools with consideration of species-specific biology. |
Keywords: | Reptiles; welfare; play; pygmy skink; assessment tool |
Rights: | © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
DOI: | 10.3390/ani9010027 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9010027 |
Appears in Collections: | Animal and Veterinary Sciences publications Aurora harvest 8 |
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hdl_118966.pdf | Published version | 304.71 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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