Herpetoculture: more than Keeping and Breeding

The groundbreaking book The Secret Lives of Reptiles presented an overview of social and parental behaviours, as well as communication in reptiles, supported by scientific observation and data. This work is but a baby step in understanding thevariety and complexity of social behaviours in reptiles. As herpetoculturists, we can contribute to and expand the base of knowledge on this topic for the simple reason that studies of social behaviours in nature are lengthy, time-consuming, costly, and difficult to conduct. These studies also do not have direct human benefits, a factor that can impact funding for this type of research. They do, however, help us understand how the evolution of social behaviours and animal societies may followcertain broad patterns. They also provide further support for the claim that reptiles are sentient entities with more complex social behaviours and a greater level of intelligence than has been recognised in the past.