Etno-herpetologia no Recôncavo Baiano: perspectivas e consequências da criação de répteis

Abstract

In the last years, has increased to use of reptiles as pets. However, this practice is often inconsistent with current legislations and may show a harmful relationship for biodiversity. The present study aimed to draw the profile of the use of reptiles as pet in the microregion of the Recôncavo Baiano. For this, we investigated the main species used, the motivators of the practice and the perceptions of the breeders. The study was carried in Cruz das Almas and Santo Antônio de Jesus municipalities, in the Recôncavo Baiano. For collect data were used semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and informal conversations. Richness estimators were used to verify the sampling efficiency and to measure the richness. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to verify differences within subgroups (sex, age, income, schooling and residents by residence). Index of Value of Use (VU) sought to evaluate the species preferred by breeders. Twenty breeders were interviewed and 120 specimens distributed in 22 species were identified. Chao I and Bootstrap showed values similar to those found here (28 species), however, Jackknife I showed higher values (35 species). There was a difference in the number of reptiles in relation to the number of residents per residence. Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) showed the highest UV, being one of the species with little monetary value and with a wide variety of phenotypes. The main motivator to use reptiles as pets was the contact with close breeders and the main method of obtaining was the purchase. Given the current panorama of the practice, it is necessary to have reflections and discussions between breeders, researchers and managers to establish a more harmonious relationship between breeders and animals, satisfying the human needs, the environmental preservation, and the animal welfare.