The two-headed snake in the view of the inhabitants of Itatiaia village, Minas Gerais, Brazil

• Main Authors: Michelle Barbosa Mateus, Lorena Cristina Lana Pinto, Mário Ribeiro de Moura, Maria Rita Silvério Pires
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2011-09-01
• Series: Biotemas
• Subjects: Amphisbaenians; Ethnoherpetology; Folk knowledge; Two-headed snake
• Online Access: http://www.biotemas.ufsc.br/volumes/pdf/volume243/111a117.pdf

Amphisbaenids are fossorial Squamate reptiles popularly known as two-headed snakes. They are animals poorly known in urban areas, although being present in the daily life of the rural population. Aiming to document the folk knowledge, as well as the superstitions with regard to these animals, this ethnobiological study was developed in Itatiaia village, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Between April and November 2009, ecological and biological aspects of amphisbaenids were approached through interviews with 48 villagers. Only the individuals who allowed the access to their knowledge and beliefs were interviewed. Data were analyzed using the union model of several individual competences. According to the number of inhabitants who were interviewed, it is possible to say that the population classifies amphisbaenids as snakes, considering them dangerous animals, thus favoring their death whenever they are found. The ethnozoology can be used as an important tool for obtaining information about amphisbaenids and, if combined to educational activities, it may also contribute to the conservation of these animals.