Abstract
Snakes are a natural form of pest control that play an essential role in the ecosystem's balance. Snakes can provide an ecological service to people by lowering insect populations that can spread disease and harm agricultural produce. Because snakes assist us in so many ways, they have long been the subject of torture and unfavorable views across cultures, and humans threaten many. However, little is known about how snake charmers in developing nations like Bangladesh are changing their attitudes and behavior toward snakes. This study aims to examine the snake charmer community in northern Bangladesh's changing attitudes and behavior toward snakes. Snake predictors must be better understood to improve conservation efforts. This study examined whether knowledge of mortality from snakebites, experience with snakebites, myth beliefs about snakes, and education level predict attitudes toward snakes in the northern area of Bangladesh. The results of the ordinal regression model revealed that beliefs in hatred, fear, and the myth that snakes are evil are related to less tolerance of snakes. We also examined attitudes that would predict the intended killing of snakes. Snake tolerance was linked to more frequent snake interactions and a lower level of education. Even after controlling for the influence of other psychological and experience-based variables, better snake tolerance and lower education were linked to a decreased risk of purposefully killing snakes. More education and sustainable wildlife management should be used to change people's attitudes and stop them from killing snakes on purpose.
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We truly acknowledge the anonymous reviewer for improving quality of the paper. We are thankful to the participants who provide their kind cooperation and verbal consent.
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The authors thankfully acknowledge the Deanship of Scientific Research for proving administrative and financial supports. Funding for this research was given under award numbers RGP1/139/43 by the Deanship of Scientific Research; King Khalid University, Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Islam, A.R.M.T., Aktar, M., Bindajam, A.A. et al. Attitudes and behaviors toward snakes in the snake charmer community: A case from northern Bangladesh. Environ Dev Sustain 26, 8065–8085 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03050-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03050-1