Animal Care
*Reptile Rescue Care Standards For Lizards
Reptile Rescue Care Standards
Purpose
This document establishes minimum, non‑negotiable husbandry standards for reptiles.
These standards prioritize animal welfare, safety, consistency, and biological correctness while allowing flexibility.
These are baseline requirements. Species‑specific care must refine (not replace) these standards.
I. Universal Standards (All Reptiles)
1. Thermal Regulation
Every enclosure must provide a thermal gradient.
Heat must originate from one side or zone only.
All heat sources must be thermostat‑controlled.
No reptile may be housed long‑term at a single, uniform temperature.
Every enclosure must provide a thermal gradient.
Heat must originate from one side or zone only.
All heat sources must be thermostat‑controlled.
No reptile may be housed long‑term at a single, uniform temperature.
2. Lighting
Provide a defined day/night cycle (typically 10–14 hrs light).
Diurnal species must receive full‑spectrum visible light.
UVB must be provided when biologically appropriate (see habitat sections).
UVB bulbs must be linear and replaced on schedule.
Provide a defined day/night cycle (typically 10–14 hrs light).
Diurnal species must receive full‑spectrum visible light.
UVB must be provided when biologically appropriate (see habitat sections).
UVB bulbs must be linear and replaced on schedule.
3. Monitoring & Equipment
Digital thermometers at warm and cool zones.
Digital hygrometers where humidity matters.
Infrared temp gun available for spot checks.
Analog gauges are not acceptable.
Digital thermometers at warm and cool zones.
Digital hygrometers where humidity matters.
Infrared temp gun available for spot checks.
Analog gauges are not acceptable.
4. Enclosure Safety
No exposed heating elements.
Fixtures must be secured and unreachable.
Décor must be stable and non‑abrasive.
No adhesives, loose wires, or fall hazards.
No exposed heating elements.
Fixtures must be secured and unreachable.
Décor must be stable and non‑abrasive.
No adhesives, loose wires, or fall hazards.
5. Hides & Security
Minimum of two hides per enclosure (warm and cool).
Hides must be snug, enclosed, and opaque.
Additional visual barriers encouraged.
Minimum of two hides per enclosure (warm and cool).
Hides must be snug, enclosed, and opaque.
Additional visual barriers encouraged.
6. Nutrition
Diet must reflect natural feeding ecology.
No single‑item diets unless species‑appropriate.
Feeders must be gut‑loaded and properly supplemented.
Diet must reflect natural feeding ecology.
No single‑item diets unless species‑appropriate.
Feeders must be gut‑loaded and properly supplemented.
7. Water
Fresh, clean water provided at all times unless medically contraindicated.
Species that drink droplets must be accommodated.
Water containers cleaned regularly.
Fresh, clean water provided at all times unless medically contraindicated.
Species that drink droplets must be accommodated.
Water containers cleaned regularly.
8. Handling & Stress
Handling limited to care, medical, or conditioning purposes.
Forced interaction prohibited.
Animals must be allowed acclimation time after intake.
Handling limited to care, medical, or conditioning purposes.
Forced interaction prohibited.
Animals must be allowed acclimation time after intake.
9. Quarantine
New intakes quarantined 30–90 days.
Separate tools and hygiene protocols required.
Monitoring for parasites, weight loss, and illness.
New intakes quarantined 30–90 days.
Separate tools and hygiene protocols required.
Monitoring for parasites, weight loss, and illness.
II. Habitat‑Based Standards
A. Desert / Arid Reptiles
Examples: Bearded dragons, uromastyx, leopard geckos, collared lizards
Temperature
Strong basking zone with high surface temperatures.
Significant drop to a cooler zone.
Nighttime temperature drop required unless species‑specific exception.
Strong basking zone with high surface temperatures.
Significant drop to a cooler zone.
Nighttime temperature drop required unless species‑specific exception.
Lighting & UVB
Mandatory UVB for most diurnal desert species.
Bright, high‑output visible lighting required.
UV Index must match basking behavior and distance.
Mandatory UVB for most diurnal desert species.
Bright, high‑output visible lighting required.
UV Index must match basking behavior and distance.
Humidity
Generally low ambient humidity.
Localized humid microclimates (humid hides) where appropriate.
Generally low ambient humidity.
Localized humid microclimates (humid hides) where appropriate.
Substrate
Must allow natural movement and posture.
Loose substrates acceptable when species‑appropriate and husbandry is correct.
Avoid slick, reflective, or constantly damp substrates.
Must allow natural movement and posture.
Loose substrates acceptable when species‑appropriate and husbandry is correct.
Avoid slick, reflective, or constantly damp substrates.
B. Tropical / Humid Reptiles
Examples: Green iguanas, chameleons, tree boas, crested geckos, dart frogs
Temperature
Moderate gradients with species‑appropriate basking.
Less extreme temperature swings than desert species.
Moderate gradients with species‑appropriate basking.
Less extreme temperature swings than desert species.
Lighting & UVB
Many species benefit from UVB, even if shade‑dwelling.
Strong full‑spectrum lighting essential for diurnal species.
Many species benefit from UVB, even if shade‑dwelling.
Strong full‑spectrum lighting essential for diurnal species.
Humidity
Higher ambient humidity required.
Must be measured, not guessed.
Humidity gradients preferred over uniform saturation.
Higher ambient humidity required.
Must be measured, not guessed.
Humidity gradients preferred over uniform saturation.
Ventilation
Cross‑ventilation required to prevent stagnant air.
Balance humidity retention with airflow.
Cross‑ventilation required to prevent stagnant air.
Balance humidity retention with airflow.
Substrate
Must retain moisture without becoming anaerobic.
Bioactive or layered substrates encouraged where feasible.
Must retain moisture without becoming anaerobic.
Bioactive or layered substrates encouraged where feasible.
C. Temperate / Seasonal Reptiles
Examples: Box turtles, Russian tortoises, some skinks, North American colubrids
Temperature
Clear thermal gradient.
Seasonal temperature variation encouraged where appropriate.
Clear thermal gradient.
Seasonal temperature variation encouraged where appropriate.
Lighting & UVB
UVB recommended for most diurnal species.
Seasonal photoperiod changes may be beneficial.
UVB recommended for most diurnal species.
Seasonal photoperiod changes may be beneficial.
Humidity
Moderate humidity with access to microclimates.
Seasonal variation may be necessary.
Moderate humidity with access to microclimates.
Seasonal variation may be necessary.
Brumation Considerations
Brumation only under veterinary or expert guidance.
Never forced for newly rescued or compromised animals.
Brumation only under veterinary or expert guidance.
Never forced for newly rescued or compromised animals.
III. Enclosure Size Standards
Enclosures must allow:
Full body extension
Natural locomotion
Species‑appropriate climbing or burrowing
Temporary or medical housing must be clearly labeled and time‑limited.
Enclosures must allow:
Full body extension
Natural locomotion
Species‑appropriate climbing or burrowing
Temporary or medical housing must be clearly labeled and time‑limited.
IV. Ethical Care Statement
Reptiles in rescue are not display objects.
Care decisions must prioritize:
Biological needs over convenience
Long‑term health over short‑term containment
Choice and control for the animal wherever possible
If an animal cannot thermoregulate, hide, or behave naturally, the enclosure does not meet rescue standards.