All our research conducted is in line with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Eckerd College. 

We collaborate with institutions, plus work with our on-site species to conduct ethical research that gives an understanding of how reptiles perceive, think and feel in a captive environment. 

1. Environmental Enrichment

We investigate how various environmental enrichment strategies can enhance the quality of life for captive reptiles. Our studies include:

• Naturalistic vs. Non-Naturalistic Habitats: Comparing geckos housed in enriched environments (e.g., with climbing structures, hides, and substrates mimicking their natural habitats) to those in standard enclosures.

• Behavioral Assessments: Evaluating changes in activity levels, social interactions, and exploratory behaviors in response to environmental modifications.

• Cognitive Functioning: Assessing problem-solving abilities, learning capacities, and discrimination abilities through tasks that challenge reptiles to adapt to enriched settings.

2. Health Monitoring

We prioritize the health and well-being of our reptiles, employing various metrics to assess their condition:

• Physiological Indicators: Monitoring body weight, glucocorticoid metabolite levels, and overall health assessments to detect stress or illness.

• Microbiome Analysis: Studying the gut microbiome to understand its role in digestion, immunity, and overall health.

• Parasite Management: Evaluating parasite burdens and their impacts on health, informing best practices for parasite prevention and treatment.

3. Behavioral Studies

Our lab conducts in-depth investigations into reptile behavior:

• Social Interactions: Analyzing how reptiles interact with each other, humans, and their environment to understand social hierarchies, territorial behaviors, anxious behaviors, and environmental understanding.

• Response to Novel Stimuli: Assessing how reptiles respond to new objects or environmental changes, providing insights into their adaptability and stress levels.

• Habituation: Studying how reptiles acclimate to repeated exposure to stimuli, which has implications for improving their comfort in captivity.

We are always expanding on these horizons, adapting them to different life stages, and widening our understanding of welfare on various reptile cognitive capabilities. 

Previous work still being published was in line with UUK Concordat to support Research Integrity at the University of Lincoln, UK. All our work receives ethical approval before conducting. 

Here is a list of previous work that our founder has completed with the University of Lincoln, UK, to give you an understanding:

The Effects of Enrichment on The behavior and Welfare of Captive Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius)

In this study, six adult leopard geckos spent four weeks in each of the three conditions (enriched naturalistic/bioactive, non-naturalistic and standard). They were then assessed for behavioral differences between the enriched conditions and the standard. These assessments included two tests of novelty (object and environment), within-enclosure behavioral observations and a three-way preference test where they could choose to spend their time. Our results showed that geckos preferred enriched environments.

Exploring The Effect of Enrichment on Welfare Under A Different Context on Captive Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius)

In this study, eight juvenile leopard geckos underwent the same analysis as the previous research. The key difference was a larger enclosure and more enrichment in the two enriched conditions. Once again, our geckos underwent novelty and preference tests and within-enclosure behavioral observations. However, our preference tests included not only a three-way test but also a pairwise test. Additionally, we explored how this affected their handleability. 

The Effects of Enrichment on Physiological Indicators of Health & Welfare in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius)

Eight juvenile leopard geckos lived in three conditions (enriched naturalistic/bioactive, non-naturalistic and standard) for four weeks. Through the four weeks, faecal samples were collected. These samples were then analysed to explore the difference in glucocorticoid metabolites (cortisol and corticosterone), parasite burden and gut biome.

The Effects of Enrichment on The Cognition of Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius)

Eight juvenile leopard geckos lived in three conditions (enriched naturalistic/bioactive, non-naturalistic and standard) for four weeks. At the end of each condition, they underwent a series of cognitive experiments to assess the differences in performance. These experiments included habituation to a novel object and novel environment, discrimination tests (familiar vs unfamiliar objects, faces and scents), and gaze following. The geckos could better discriminate between familiar scents when in an enriched environment, but there was no difference between the other discrimination tests. 

A Comparative Study into The Effects of The Human Eye Gaze on The behavior of Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius) and Bearded Dragons (Pogona Vitticeps).

Eight juvenile leopard geckos and Ten bearded dragons living in non-naturalistic enriched conditions were assessed for behavioral responses to four different types of human-gaze stimuli. This included a direct gaze, side eye gaze, eyes closed and a blurred eye structure. While there were species indicators of anxiety (highlighting the need not to assume behaviors have the same meaning in different reptilian species), the collective response showed that humans, regardless of gaze types, elicited an anxiety-based response. 

Describing The Activity Patterns of Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis Macularius).

14 Leopard geckos living in a range of varying enclosure conditions were assessed for activity patterns to provide insight on the long-standing argument of the species being nocturnal or crepuscular. This experiment also explored their enrichment usage to determine what is important to them and give better insight into why enrichment is necessary for their daily lives. 

At the lab, we have a range of future projects to explore while also encouraging our lab members to facilitate their own research to achieve our lab's aim. 

Some of our vital future projects are:

• Mood in Movement: Exploring the Affective States Behind Leopard Gecko’s Movement Speeds

• A Review: Statistical Measures in Animal Welfare and Behaviour

• Literature Review on Behavioural Markers for Affective State Context in the Sub-order Squamata

• Science of a Case Study: Red Rock and Greene—The Use of a Service Pet Snake in Epileptic Seizures Notification

• The Effects of Bioactive Environmental set-up on Captive Crested Geckos

• Cognitive Adaptation Through Captive Madagascan Day Geckos and Crested Gecko's Life Stages

• Inter-observer Reliability on Leopard Gecko research (Preference testing, Discrimination, Gaze Following, Habituation and Novelty)

• Leopard Gecko Within-Enclosure Behavioral Analysis for projects such as Enrichment Usage in Different Enclosure Types and Activity Budget of the Leopard Gecko

• Cognitive capabilities of Komodo Dragons, Galapagos Tortoises and Crocodylia at Zoo Tampa 

• Environmental Enrichment preferences of Captive Venomous snakes at Zoo Tampa 

• Citizen Science Project: What marks successful and unsuccessful captive reptile cohabitation