Research Panterophis guttatus

This graduation research was conducted as part of the Associate Degree programme in Animal Management at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with and commissioned by the Herpetofauna Foundation. The study focuses on a current yet still underexplored topic within the reptile keeping community: the minimum enclosure space required to ensure the welfare of snakes, with particular attention to their ability to fully stretch their bodies.

The motivation for this study stems from the growing societal and political interest in the responsible keeping of reptiles. In particular, there is an urgent need within government to establish appropriate housing requirements for snakes, as the welfare standards currently in use are outdated and pressure from the European Union continues to increase. Considerable uncertainty remains regarding the natural behaviours of these animals in captivity, resulting in legislation and regulations that have so far lacked a sufficient scientific foundation. The absence of robust scientific evidence makes it difficult to formulate welfare standards that both safeguard animal welfare and provide clear guidance to keepers.

The aim of this study is therefore to contribute to the understanding of snake behaviour in relation to their living environment. The central research question is: "What is the effect of restricted enclosure space on the ability of snakes to fully stretch their bodies, and what are the consequences of this for their mental and physical health?" By investigating this question using the species Pantherophis guttatus, the study seeks to determine whether full body stretching is a natural behaviour that contributes to animal welfare.

The Herpetofauna Foundation, which is committed to promoting reptile welfare while supporting the preservation of responsible reptile keeping as a hobby, was keen to fund this research. This study represents an important first step towards establishing a scientifically supported framework for reptile housing requirements, in which the Foundation aims to play a significant role. The findings may contribute to the development of future policies that better reflect both the needs of the animals and the interests of responsible reptile keepers.

Ruben Kooij, June 2025