Importância da Etnoherpetologia para a conservação de serpentes e equilíbrio ecológico da microrregião do médio Mearim

Abstract

Ethnoherpetology is a branch of herpetology that studies the relationship between humans and reptiles and amphibians in diverse cultures around the world. It examines how these animals are perceived, used and integrated into the traditions, mythologies, folk medicine, food and ritual practices of different ethnic groups. In addition, it seeks to understand the impact of human interactions on the habitats of these animals and how these relationships influence their populations. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the perspective of residents of two municipalities in the micro-region of Médio Mearim, also seeking ways to understand with this knowledge can be applied to the conservation and ecological balance of the region. A questionnaire was applied, consisting of eleven objective questions, to local residents of the municipalities of São Luís Gonzaga do Maranhão and Bacabal. In total, 100 people answered the questionnaire. The results provided a better perspective of the empirical knowledge of the rural population related to the municipalities studied on the local herpetology. It was noted that the sample of the rural population that answered the questionnaire, even composed of lay people, is aware of what would be right and wrong with regard to snakes.