What is a Welfare Assessment Tool?

RepWAT has been designed to provide reptile keepers with the peace of mind that they are providing their animals with the best welfare conditions possible.

There are numerous methods to evaluate the well-being of a reptile, including:

  • Assessing body condition

  • Checking the clarity of the eyes and throat

  • Ensuring the absence of skin diseases

  • Observing behavior

  • Monitoring feeding and growth rates

  • And more

These methods are indirect measures of welfare, relying on visual cues and the observer's expertise.

Direct measures of welfare involve analyzing the levels of the stress hormone, corticosterone (CORT), in the reptile. Higher CORT levels indicate stress, while lower levels suggest a less stressful situation. RepWAT provides a direct measure of reptile well-being.

To create a comprehensive welfare assessment, both direct and indirect measures are used. This combined approach offers a more precise evaluation of the reptile's welfare compared to using either method in isolation.

What is RepWAT used for?

  • Monitoring

    RepWAT offers you reassurance that your husbandry practices are cultivating a stress-free environment for your reptile(s)!

  • Assessment

    RepWAT can offer insights into the stress levels experienced by your reptile and the time it takes for them to return to normal.

  • Improvement

    Advancements in husbandry practices for reptiles stem from expanding knowledge in the field. By comparing past practices, we can assess and measure the ongoing enhancements in husbandry techniques.

Submit Your Samples

What RepWAT is not!

RepWAT is not a veterinary service. We cannot diagnose or treat any of the potential illnesses or conditions your reptile(s) may be experiencing. If you have any medical concerns about your reptile or if your reptile is experiencing a medical emergency please contact your local exotic veterinarian!

Our Services

To achieve the best results possible, CORT can be measured by collecting the feces (fCORT) without handling the reptile and thereby achieves a more accurate representation of welfare assessment.

Testing of the fecal samples involves the use a specifically-designed, standardized testing protocol that allows uniformity of testing between all samples and reptile species. The testing protocol uses a commercially-produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to ensure consistent QA/QC between tests. The water content of the sample is adjusted for using a technique optimized by the RepWAT team to ensure no degradation of the fCORT in the process. A report will be issued with individual results for each sample submitted

  • Pay for the number of samples you would like to have analysed.

    Prices start at $60* USD per sample

    *Approximately $90 AUD per sample

  • A fecal collection kit will be delivered to the mailing address you have provided to us. The kit will contain the following:

    • Sample bag(s)*

    • Anti-leak transport bag

    • Mailing envelope

    • Sample Collection instructions

    *The number of sample bags will correspond to the number of tests you have purchased.

    Collect a 2 cm (maximum) fecal sample from your reptiles habitat weighing no more than 20 grams and place it in the labeled sample bag provided and scan the QR code provided to complete the online submission form.

  • Once we recieve your payment, we will ship you a test collection kit that will take you step-by-step on how to collect your samples, how to store them, and where to ship them. Additionally, you will need to complete a sample lodgement form.

  • Once we receive your sample, we will analyze your sample for faecal corticosterone using our certified processes, and within 1-2 weeks, we will send you your results.

FAQs

Who will own the Results?

YOU WILL! RepWAT will not disclose any results submitted by you! As our dataset increases, comparative reports will be developed to set fecal corticosterone (fCORT) welfare targets for all known reptilian species and will be categorized by age class, sex, body condition, etc; but ONLY TO ASSIST IN INTERPRETATION. In no instance will individual identifiers (i.e. farm, zoo, keeper, animal ID) be disclosed.

Are any CITES permits required?

As stated in Resolution 9.6 Annex 3.2, Fecal samples DO NOT require CITIES permits regardless of Appendix listing.

What values are considered “normal”?

Currently, there is limited published data on fecal corticosterone (fCORT) values in reptiles. Our current database has been built upon the published literature available and we will continue add to this as samples are submitted. Unfortunately, not every reptile species has been represented in the current literature so it is difficult to determine “normal fCORT values” at this point for every reptile species.

However, if you feel that your reptiles are happy and healthy under your current husbandry protocols and procedures, you can begin to infer your own “normal fCORT values” and continue to assess those values as you make further changes relative to your current husbandry standards.

If I live outside the US and Australia, can I still use your services?

YES! While we do not yet have a store for our international clients, we everyone who cares for reptiles to have the opportunity to use our services! If your facility is outside the US and Australia and you are interested in using our services please give us an email and one of our representatives will assist you with setting up your order.

Contact Us

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