Frederick, C., Cowell, P., Payne, D. et al. 1998. Suggested Guidelines for Reptile Enrichment. web site of American Association of Zoo Keepers [AAZK] National Enrichment Committee, web site.

Excellent recommendations for species-adequate, safe environmental enrichment options for various reptile species. Perching in most reptile enclosures is crucial in providing pathways and arboreal access for both semi and fully arboreal species. When supplied in conjunction with heat sources, perching provides an important mechanism for thermoregulation. Perches should be placed near heat sources to allow the animals to bask, with at least as many basking sites as individuals housed. Placing perches at varying distances from the heat source provides a temperature gradation that allows the animals to maintain body temperatures within a range appropriate to thespecies. It can also encourage locomotive behavior between sites. ... Cover, an important feature for many reptilians, can be provided in ways that allow the animals to still be visible to the public. ... These shelters help the animals feel protected while still being visible to caretakers and visitors. Providing them with more than one sheltered location across either temperature (e.g., one near a heat source and one in a cool place) or moisture gradients (e.g., one that uses moist moss, another, dry leaf litter) permits the animal to make choices while still having shelter. ... The addition of substrates in a reptilian enclosure can provide opportunities for variety of behavior, including foraging and locomotion. However, with the exception of desert-dwelling reptiles and some aquatic turtles, sand is not recommended as a substrate because of the risk of gastrointestinal impaction if ingested. For the same reason, ground corn cob is also discouraged as a substrate.